'Kleptocracy' blamed for RI crisis<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Observers identified crony capitalism and
\nkleptocracy as the cause of the deteriorating state of the nation
\nand called on students to continue pushing for reform.<\/p>\n
Roeslan Abdulgani, former foreign minister in the second Ali
\nSastroamidjojo cabinet between 1956 and 1957, said the current
\neconomic and political crisis was the climax to a series of past
\nchronic, moral transgressions.<\/p>\n
"The current government is implementing kleptocracy, not
\ndemocracy. The term refers to greedy governance, meaning that a
\nmentality of greed is prevalent among government officials," he
\nsaid during the book launching of Orde Pancasila: Agenda
\nreformasi paripurna di bidang ekonomi, politik, sosial-budaya dan
\nhukum (Pancasila order: The agenda of total reform in the
\npolitical, economic, sociocultural and law fields) at the
\nNasional University here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The 83-year-old Roeslan added that the economy was crumbling
\nbecause it had been developed over 32 years under a climate of
\ncrony capitalism involving a small number of tycoons and
\n"government officials' families".<\/p>\n
He said that crony capitalism and kleptocracy were two
\ndangerous diseases that had to be eradicated and "now is the time
\nfor students to do it".<\/p>\n
He said that despite the deaths of several people, students
\nshould not lose hope but should continue their struggle.<\/p>\n
"The fall of your fellow students should strengthen your moral
\nmovement to bring the nation back to the basics as stipulated in
\nthe Pancasila state ideology and the 1945 Constitution," he said
\nin reference to the deaths of four Trisakti University students.<\/p>\n
Roeslan also slammed the government for abusing the
\nConstitution to maintain the status quo.<\/p>\n
"The New Order appeared to make a total correction over
\nalleged abuses committed by the Old Order government. Now,
\nstudents are taking to the streets to demand the government
\nresign for having abused Pancasila and the Constitution," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Solichin GP, a former secretary for development supervision at
\nthe presidential office, and A. Dahlan Ranuwihardjo both urged
\nthe government to resign as a prerequisite for total reform.<\/p>\n
They said it was impossible for the nation to introduce reform
\nunless the government, having failed to carry out national
\ndevelopment, quit.<\/p>\n
Solichin and Dahlan, two of Orde Pancasila's coauthors, said
\nthe nation needed more than just reform and this was impossible
\nunless the government resigned.<\/p>\n
"How can the failed government and system defuse the crisis
\nwhile the crisis is part of, and a product of, the failed
\nsystem," said Solichin.<\/p>\n
Dahlan said the nation needed total reform so it could be
\nrebuilt and create a civil society that respected human rights,
\ndecency and civility.<\/p>\n
He also urged religious leaders and communities to join forces
\nto push for total reform. (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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