From bad to worse<\/p>\n
The Indonesian political situation is going from bad to worse,
\nwhich should not be the case because of the President's goodwill
\nmission abroad. Everywhere the President goes, he assures foreign
\ngovernments and Indonesians living abroad that he is in full
\ncontrol of the situation. But sometimes our President makes
\ndecisions and statements which can wait until he is back home to
\nhear firsthand from sources what is actually going on.<\/p>\n
The strained relations as reported in the newspapers between
\nthe President and Gen. Wiranto has caused the country's economic
\ndevelopment to stagnate.<\/p>\n
The most harmful situation is the steady stream of rumors of
\nan impending coup by the Indonesian Military (TNI). This has
\nbecome an international issue and foreign dignitaries find it
\nnecessary to give their opinions and issue warnings to the
\nmilitary. Are we an independent and sovereign country, or are we
\nstill a camouflaged colony of the superpowers?<\/p>\n
Despite assurances by the TNI commander and the Army chief of
\nstaff that there is no plan for the military to stage a coup,
\nrumors of a possible coup keep circulating. Why the fuss? I think
\nthat the underlying factor of all the rumors and news reports is
\nthe hatred and jealousy of the TNI, which in the past played such
\na prominent role in Indonesia's political scene, giving no chance
\nto politicians to play their parts.<\/p>\n
TNI has become a victim and has suffered the most from all the
\nstatements made domestically as well as internationally by
\nprominent Indonesian political leaders. We accept the right and
\nfreedom of all citizens to express themselves as long as it is
\naimed at improving the situation and not worsening the domestic
\ncondition of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The tense relationship between the President and Gen. Wiranto
\nis at the moment the most destructive factor for the country,
\nwhile we actually do not even know whether such tension really
\nexists.<\/p>\n
According to Kompas, on Feb. 7, 2000, the President expressed
\nhis full confidence in Gen. Wiranto, who once saved him and
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri from an assassination plot. Gen. Wiranto
\nhas assured the President that there will be no coup.<\/p>\n
And according to economic experts, the President's "request"
\nthat Gen. Wiranto leave his job has had a negative impact on the
\neconomy. The proof of this is that rupiah has become weaker and
\nweaker against the U.S. dollar.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/from-bad-to-worse-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }