Gus Dur and pace of reform<\/p>\n
It is indeed \"a puzzlement\" that the same population that
\ntolerated repression, oppression, corruption and official
\nviolence for 32 years will not allow the new government even six
\nmonths to rebuild the rotting institutions they inherited --
\nparticularly the banking, legal and judicial systems. Instead
\nthere are demands for resignations and special sessions of the
\nHouse of Representatives (DPR), and even talk of impeachment.<\/p>\n
Is this fair or productive? It is a healthy development that
\nin the New Indonesia public criticism of high officials whose
\nperformance is substandard is permitted and actually encouraged
\nby President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). But when the criticism
\nis motivated by personal or partisan political ambition, which
\nsome of the current criticism seems to be, it is not only
\ndishonest but also life-threatening to the new government and the
\nnation.<\/p>\n
In the face of extreme national tension in the critical days
\nimmediately following the election, Gus Dur inspired a confidence
\nthat kept rival political groups calmed and supportive of the
\nideal of national unity. He succeeded in moving the military
\nbranch of government to where it belongs, to a position
\nsubordinate to civil authority. He has even handled some problems
\neffectively by seeming not to handle them. Some of the
\nPresident's missteps might be characterized as serious; e.g. his
\nrash promises to community groups, made without consultation with
\nthe DPR. Such mistakes should be challenged. But there is a big
\ndifference between a serious mistake, or even multiple serious
\nmistakes, and culpable failure. It seems beyond all proportion to
\ncharge the President at this point with failing in his
\nresponsibilities.<\/p>\n
No president or economic affairs minister or attorney general
\ncould solve Indonesia's problems, as deeply entrenched and far-
\nreaching as they are, in a few months. Decisive and honest
\naction, not instant results, may be a better test of their
\nperformance. Arief Budiman identified a key weakness in the
\nPresident's inventory of skills, his lack of a modern approach to
\nmanagement. However, Gus Dur's key strengths, his personal
\nintegrity and credible devotion to the people of Indonesia, more
\nthan compensate for his lesser vices. Is there anyone better
\nequipped to accomplish what the country needs to accomplish
\nduring the first stage of becoming a real democracy, than this
\nPresident?<\/p>\n
DONNA K. WOODWARD<\/p>\n
Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-and-pace-of-reform-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }