If I became president<\/p>\n
If reading this heading, you cannot suppress a cynical laugh
\nthen you are free to do so, because I myself am laughing at my
\nown pretensions. I confess that I am no match for people like
\nMegawati, Habibie, Amien Rais and other politicians, who are
\naiming for this position. I am writing this to give all of you
\nmaterial for thought and comparison. Most people are criticizing
\nthe New Order, as if there was nothing good during this era. The
\nsame is the case with the Indonesian Military (TNI), where
\naccording to certain groups the TNI can do no right.<\/p>\n
Sometimes I think that TNI and National Police are created
\nonly as shooting targets for bandits, terrorists and rebels. You
\nare free to shoot at the TNI and police, and the TNI must accept
\nthat, because when they shoot back it is seen as a violation of
\nhuman rights, the more so when people are killed.<\/p>\n
Now if I was duly and legally elected as president of the
\nrepublic, then the following steps would be taken. A country
\nneeds a strong, well organized government, with a clear job
\ndescription, a clear line of command and occupied by strong
\npeople with a deep sense of responsibility and pure thinking.
\nStrong people in Indonesia means people with a great dedication
\nto their responsibility and job. Not someone who just sits there
\nfor the honor of being a minister. They should be religious in
\ntheir daily personal life, have pure thinking and have the
\ncourage to shoulder responsibility and speak their minds. I don't
\nneed yes-men, although it is nice to hear people agree with you
\nand flatter you all the time. But all that will ultimately lead
\nto disaster.<\/p>\n
The vice president should get a more responsible job and not
\nsit there idly and exist only because the Constitution says there
\nshould be a VP.<\/p>\n
Besides the presidential duties, I have to perform as
\nstipulated in the Constitution. I will coordinate and supervise
\npolitical, security and legal affairs while the VP does the same
\ncovering financial, economical and social affairs, therefore I
\ndon't need coordinating ministers.<\/p>\n
My next step would be to trim the Cabinet and all ministries,
\ncreated only to give political supporters a \"thank you\" job.
\nMen and women are politically the same. So, why should there be a
\ndepartment for the role of women and why do we need a department
\nof horticulture and so on? My Cabinet will be as slim as
\npossible, with a minimum of ministers, but with maximum
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
The next problem I would tackle would be to improve the
\nquality of the members of the legislature and their working
\nmethods. The members should represent the people and not exist to
\nplease the ruling government. The same attention would be paid to
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
I would try to make Indonesia a real democratic country, where
\neverybody has the right to enjoy freedom of expression with a
\nsense of responsibility. Democracy should not remain a slogan,
\nbut must become a strong basis for people's political thinking
\nand doing.<\/p>\n
My next attention would be focused on the law. There is no
\nbargaining in this. The law is supreme and applicable to all
\nIndonesians irrespective of their religion, political stand,
\nposition, wealth and ethnic origin.<\/p>\n
To be honest, though, I don't want to become a president with
\nsuch a heavy responsibility. I prefer to stay outside like so
\nmany experts and observers who are very good at criticizing
\neverything the government does to gain popularity. But I am
\ndoubtful whether these critics could perform as well as they
\ncriticize if they were to sit on the president's chair with all
\nthe associated problems and responsibilities.<\/p>\n
A Dutch proverb says: De beste stuurlui staan aan wal, if
\nliterally translated means, \"The best sailors are those on land.\"<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/if-i-became-president-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }