Let's work to become a risk-free nation<\/p>\n
The following are excerpts of the speech by President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri delivered at the annual session of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly, Nov. 1.<\/p>\n
* This crisis is both a part of and a continuation of the
\nmonetary, economic, confidence, political, and security crises
\nthat have burdened us since 1997. A crisis that we fundamentally
\nfailed to address.<\/p>\n
Coupled with the tragedy of Sept. 11 that triggered the threat
\nof global economic recession, recovery efforts in our nation have
\nbecome even more challenging.<\/p>\n
It has become a great challenge to optimally strike a balance
\nbetween the solutions of short-term problems -- which
\noccasionally must be painful and hence unpopular and dealt with
\non an ad-hoc basis -- and idealism with regard to national
\nreform.<\/p>\n
We have spent too much energy responding to these situational
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
* Priorities should continue to refer to new concepts of state
\nadministration based on the vision of national reform. It means
\nthat all the administrative changes that we have carried out and
\nwill embark upon have to be cloaked in the spirit of
\ncoordination, must not be rushed, and must strive for prudent
\nimprovement and perfection.<\/p>\n
Therein lies the difference between reform and revolution. We
\nare definitely not conducting a revolution. We embark upon
\nreforms with vision, mission, and a clear agenda established by
\nthe Honorable Assembly.<\/p>\n
* There is one (achievement) that we need to single out, namely
\nthe democratic situation. The government no longer imposes
\nstrict limits upon society to express opinions; especially if
\nthose opinions are not expressed in a manner that violates the
\nrights of others.<\/p>\n
* The investigation and legal proceedings dealing with cases
\nof gross violations of human rights will continue and be
\nsubsequently brought to the appropriate courts for prosecution.<\/p>\n
* During the 56th anniversary of the Indonesian Military, I
\nrequested the military establishment to continue its internal
\ntransformation by perfecting its doctrines to be further used as
\nyardsticks by all its members. A similar request was directed to
\nthe National Police.<\/p>\n
I have also instructed all military and police personnel --
\nfrom the lowest to the highest ranks -- to carry out their
\nduties with special attention paid to respecting human rights as
\nwell as abiding by the prevailing laws and regulations.<\/p>\n
To accurately understand human rights is therefore
\nimportant. The goal is not only to allow our people to
\nprecisely understand their rights, but also to enable them to
\nrespect others' rights as well, and all of the attendant
\nlimitations therein.<\/p>\n
The challenge that we must respond to in this rather
\ncomplicated situation is to precisely establish national
\npriorities.<\/p>\n
We have to prioritize three main national programs, namely
\neconomic recovery, resuming normalcy of political life, and
\nrestoration of law, security, and public order.<\/p>\n
We have recently become a poor nation with a low income
\nper-capita and with huge unemployment while the production
\npotentials are now largely dormant. This condition could worsen
\nif food insufficiency increases.<\/p>\n
We have to humbly admit that such a condition exists here and
\nhence unleash all the potential that exists in this nation to
\nprevent the situation from deteriorating further. There is no
\nshortcut to solving these predicaments. It requires patience as
\nwell as hard work and tenacity and some difficult decisions will
\nhave to be made before we can pull out of this crisis.<\/p>\n
* The government has taken a number of important steps as
\nan initial effort to revive the economy. Apart from restoring
\ncooperation with the International Monetary Fund, the government
\nis also trying to find a breakthrough in various major projects
\nin the fields of energy and petrochemicals, significantly
\ninfluencing the smooth undertakings of our economic programs in
\ngeneral and the confidence of the international funding
\ninstitutions and investors on the commitments that we have made.<\/p>\n
There is a worrisome problem ... international and domestic
\ninvestments have nearly come to a halt. We have to amend our
\nimage and reconfirm that Indonesia is not a high-risk country in
\nterms of politics, economics, and security.<\/p>\n
I (earlier) stressed the need for the government to take very
\nstern actions to deal with the many problems endangering
\npolitical stability in favor of the greater good -- our
\nnational interests.<\/p>\n
I am aware that I take the risk to be misunderstood by some
\nmembers of our society who may liken these measures to the
\nrepressive measures taken by the New Order (Soeharto regime).<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the continuation of democratic life is indeed
\ncontingent upon the willingness of all people to obey the law, to
\nrespect all people's interests and, better still, to impose self-
\nrestraint.<\/p>\n
There are a number of factors causing social unrest and mass
\nviolations in several areas.<\/p>\n
Not only is this social unrest and uncontrolled violence
\nillegal, it is also hampering efforts to revive the economy ...
\nthese problems also have the potential to violate human rights.
\nClearly, this cannot be tolerated. No matter how difficult it is,
\na state of law should be created to specifically deal with such
\nsituations.<\/p>\n
One sector which has directly fell victim to this unsafe
\nsituation is tourism and also other real economic sectors. The
\ntourism industry, which had become one of the most significant
\nhard-currency generating sources is now suffering a major
\nsetback, and that is seriously jeopardizing the livelihood of
\npeople in many areas, especially where tourists used to visit.<\/p>\n
Through this forum, I wish to appeal to all levels of
\ncommunity leadership and the Indonesian people -- to impose self-
\nrestraint upon their respective followers and supporters so as to
\nallow the speedy restoration of a peaceful situation.<\/p>\n
Investors also need certainty, with regards to rules and
\nregulations. It is against this backdrop that I have directed the
\neconomic ministers to implement policies that are coherent and
\ntransparent to avoid any confusion among business operators. It
\nis in the same vein that the central government has reminded all
\nregions not to adopt regulations or impose levies, which may
\nhamper trading, investment activities and cause long-term damage
\nto the regions concerned.<\/p>\n
With these new investments, we will be able to run our economy
\neffectively again, which is urgently needed to provide jobs for
\nthe unemployed, the number of which continues to increase on
\na daily basis.<\/p>\n
* Our capability to settle debts has caused concern. A large
\npart of the budget has to be set aside to pay the main debts and
\ntheir interest. We have to go through all these to honor the
\ncommitments made by the government when securing loans. In this
\nregard, we are thankful to donor countries that have been willing
\nto help us settle loans in this difficult period, including their
\noffer to reschedule our debt.<\/p>\n
Prioritizing national economic recovery has brought about some
\nimplications and consequences. The first refers to the need to
\nadopt a policy of efficiency.<\/p>\n
The government leaves no stone unturned in finding other
\npossible solutions acceptable to all for the sake of our national
\ninterest.<\/p>\n
Inevitably, the government must gradually raise prices of some
\ngoods and services, such as fuel and electricity. We also have to
\nconsider other stringent policies in the fiscal sector so that we
\nare able to lessen the debt burden.<\/p>\n
We have also adopted a policy of selling national assets
\nadministered by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency and the
\nprivatization of state-owned companies. However, these
\npolicies have shown little progress in meeting their target.<\/p>\n
Experience has demonstrated that addressing the very issue of
\nprivatization has often led to other issues that need to be
\ncarefully dealt with first. The privatization policy will,
\ntherefore, be conducted cautiously.<\/p>\n
* The international community, while facing the threat of
\neconomic recession, is now besieged by the fear of terrorism.<\/p>\n
International terrorism might lead to an adverse impact on
\neconomic activities that we count on for human prosperity.<\/p>\n
Those found to be involved in terrorism should be held
\nresponsible and taken to court. It is the obligation of every
\nparty to help find and show to the world any evidence connecting
\nany elements allegedly involved in these irresponsible actions
\nbefore taking measures to combat terrorism.<\/p>\n
By the end of this year, Muslims and Christians will hold
\nreligious celebrations. We, therefore, appeal that the military
\nattack aimed at seizing the accused, which has so far claimed the
\nlives of many innocent people, be discontinued before the sacred
\nmonth of Ramadhan and Christmas.<\/p>\n
The long drawn out military attack will not only be counter-
\nproductive, it might also weaken the global coalition in
\ncombating terrorism. We appeal for the need to hold a
\nhumanitarian pause so as to give more space and opportunity for
\nthe handling of humanitarian aid while trying to solve the
\nproblem through political and diplomatic channels. The
\ngovernment continues its support for the UN to play its role in
\naccordance with its mandate to maintain international peace and
\nsecurity.<\/p>\n
* To implement the Assembly's mandate to eradicate corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism, we have to carry it out consistently and
\nfirmly so that the main factors causing many of the nation's
\nwoes can come to an end.<\/p>\n
We also agree to oblige the state apparatus to submit a report
\non their personal wealth to the Wealth Audit Committee. Allow me
\nalso to offer my earnest appreciation to those who have submitted
\ntheir wealth reports and agree to have their reports published.
\nThis measure will contribute to our joint efforts to recuperate
\nthe image and to improve the performance of the government.<\/p>\n
I will instruct the Attorney General and the Chief of the
\nNational Police to submit reports every month on the development
\nand progress in eradicating KKN practices.<\/p>\n
The tendency for some regions to seek secession from the
\nUnitary State of the Republic of Indonesia needs more serious
\ncare. While some carry out their intentions peacefully, others
\nhave conducted their movement forcefully.<\/p>\n
In the government's attempt to tackle security disturbances
\nstaged by armed separatist movements, the risk that the lives of
\nmany are at risk on both sides -- even innocent people residing
\nin the troubled areas -- is inevitable.<\/p>\n
Allow me now to elaborate on the basic policies of the
\ngovernment to settle this no less important issue.<\/p>\n
The first policy is that, while providing more room for people
\nin the regions to administer themselves under special autonomy,
\nwe are resolved to seek a lasting solution to the problems
\nexpressed by the public that directly addresses their welfare,
\njustice and dignity.<\/p>\n
The government has, in cooperation with the House of
\nRepresentatives, deliberated, formulated and enacted the laws
\nrequired to realize this first basic policy, in particular those
\nconnected with the provinces of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and
\nIrian Jaya. We have provided them with substantial scope for
\nautonomy and a concrete constitutional recognition of the
\ncultural identity of those regions.<\/p>\n
The second basic policy is based on the oath I took last July
\nto uphold the constitution and other regulations, based on the
\nnation's struggle in the early 20th century. Under no
\ncircumstances will the government entertain, for whatever reason,
\nthe intention of any region to separate from the unitary state of
\nthe Republic of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Secession from a nation-state (violates) the basic principle
\nof nationhood and it is incumbent upon any sovereign country to
\ndeal with it. The UN Charter and international laws also prohibit
\nseparatism, which would otherwise only lead the modern
\ninternational system into chaos. We are thankful, therefore,
\nthat almost all the UN member countries have pledged their
\nsupport for the territorial integrity of our nation.<\/p>\n
In regards to Aceh, the government has developed a
\ncomprehensive policy comprising six agenda enshrined in
\nPresidential Instruction No. 4\/2001 and revised in Presidential
\nInstruction No. 7\/2001.<\/p>\n
The political agenda consists of three points: Special
\nautonomy for the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, the
\nfacilitation of dialog with all segments of the Acehnese
\ncommunity and the acceleration of the empowerment of regional
\ninstitutions to improve public services.<\/p>\n
The economic agenda is aimed at accelerating
\ndevelopment in agriculture, economic infrastructure and expansion
\nof job opportunities.<\/p>\n
The social agenda is tailored to expedite the rehabilitation
\nand building of infrastructure, expansion of job and business
\nopportunities, acceleration of social rehabilitation and refugee
\nsettlement.<\/p>\n
In the field of law and order, the policy is aimed at
\nbolstering efforts to enforce public law -- including the efforts
\nto solve human rights violations -- and security and order,
\nespecially the efforts to restore security in the province of
\nNanggroe Aceh Darussalam by deploying the police force with the
\nassistance of the military, to face disturbance posed by the
\narmed separatist movement.<\/p>\n
In the field of security, the policy is aimed at restoring
\nsecurity and order across the province of Nanggroe Aceh
\nDarussalam through seeking a solution to the problem of the armed
\nseparatist movement taking into account, and in compliance
\nwith, prevailing regulations and procedures and respect for human
\nrights.<\/p>\n
Finally, the information and communication agenda is aimed at
\nintensifying the dissemination of correct and balanced
\ninformation to the society at large within the framework of
\nopinion molding and to take measures to counter false
\ninformation.<\/p>\n
Similar policies are to be applied in the province of Irian
\nJaya, for which the bill on Special Autonomy for the Papuan
\nProvince has been passed by the House of Representatives on 22
\nOctober 2001.<\/p>\n
Attempts to nurture domestic politics continues to progress in
\nline with the need for reforms.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, progress in this very field occurs within the
\npolitical culture that places narrow and short-sighted regional
\ninterests to the fore.<\/p>\n
* Among some major social problems are the protection of
\nIndonesian workers, mostly women working abroad; the protection
\nof women's rights and the protection of the rights of the
\nchildren as our next generation; and the solving of the problem
\nof internally displaced people.<\/p>\n
* We have now a total of more than one million internally
\ndisplaced people. Unfortunately, conditions are not yet
\nfavorable to enable them to return to their place of domicile.<\/p>\n
* In a number of areas, natural disasters have again
\noccured, reminding us of the signifance of sustained
\ndevelopment. Natural disasters have also caused a massive
\nmovement of people who have been forced to leave their homelands
\nand villages. It is in order to cope with this problem that we
\nhave established the Coordinating Board for Handling Disasters
\nand Refugees.<\/p>",
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