More trouble and strife on the cards in 2002<\/p>\n
Ida Indawati Khouw, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
\"Happy New Year!\" is the usual greeting when a new year is
\napproaching. But how should we welcome 2002 if the predictions
\nare full of doom and gloom?<\/p>\n
The seemingly endless political machinations have been
\nforecasted to continue. Ethnic and religious conflicts continue
\nto envelop pockets of the country. The economy lies in shambles.
\nAdd to the mix a spate of natural disasters, and it looks like
\nbusiness as usual for Indonesia in 2002.<\/p>\n
Three Jakarta psychics say that trouble will affect
\nIndonesians in all walks of life -- from political to economic to
\nsocial affairs, the country will also be beset by natural
\ncatastrophes. They also warn of an escalation of violence and
\nclashes at the grassroots level.<\/p>\n
The psychics predicted that the government would have to
\nresort to a firm approach in dealing with the upheaval if it does
\nnot want the country to slide into greater chaos.<\/p>\n
\"The government should be brave enough to take a shoot-on-the-
\nspot approach when handling various kinds of violence that will
\ncolor the country more next year,\" psychic H. Bahagia, who works
\nin the Glodok commercial center of the capital, said.<\/p>\n
Noted psychic Lauren, from Cipinang Indah in East Jakarta,
\nsaid bloodshed will escalate throughout the country.<\/p>\n
\"Religious conflict will continue here, thus I warn all
\nparties to be careful in implementing policies, because taking
\nany wrong path can become a trigger for (extremist) groups\"
\nseeking to cause trouble, she said.<\/p>\n
Christine, who operates from Mal Mangga Dua shopping mall in
\nWest Jakarta, warned that the uncertain security situation will
\nreach its peak in the middle of 2002.<\/p>\n
\"People will be quite shocked by that,\" said Christine.<\/p>\n
All three psychics agreed that President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri will be severely challenged by the upheaval, and
\nLauren felt that the developments could topple her government
\nfrom power.<\/p>\n
\"It will be so difficult for her, as there will be so many
\npolitical disturbances, there are too many parties pursuing the
\npresidency,\" said Lauren.<\/p>\n
But Bahagia and Christine believe that Megawati will finish
\nher term of office in 2004 because she is divinely blessed.<\/p>\n
\"Ma (mother) Kwan Im (the Chinese goddess) will still be with
\nher, but she must struggle for her power, one of the ways is
\nthrough having control over the military and police forces,\" said
\nBahagia.<\/p>\n
Christine said that, although Megawati will survive the
\npolitical test, the President would not be reelected.<\/p>\n
She also warned that the legacy of power from the New Order
\nregime of Soeharto would still beleaguer the President.<\/p>\n
\"In my prediction, the regime will have power for the next
\nthree years -- the regime's power can be maintained because it
\nstill has a great amount of money,\" she said.<\/p>\n
That, she noted, is one of the reasons the case of Hutomo
\n\"Tommy\" Mandala Putra, the recently apprehended youngest son of
\nformer president Soeharto, will drag out.<\/p>\n
All three also gave pessimistic predictions regarding the
\ncountry's economic situation.<\/p>\n
Lauren believes the first six months of 2002 will be the most
\ndifficult time for the country's economy.<\/p>\n
\"I suggest (the government) pay more attention to agriculture
\nand husbandry as the world, including Indonesia, will face food
\nscarcity,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Things will be a bit better in the areas of housing, health,
\ntelecommunications and educational sectors, Lauren predicts.<\/p>\n
However, mother nature will take a terrible toll. The psychics
\nsaid the country would be battered by floods and earthquakes.<\/p>\n
\"But a particularly great disaster will occur at sea that will
\nclaim a large number of victims, thus I warn those whose jobs are
\nrelated to the sea to be especially careful,\" Lauren said.<\/p>\n
Lauren predicted that the health sector would see an
\nescalation in incidents of respiratory and skin diseases, and
\nthat there would also be a malaria outbreak.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the only good news on the medical front is that
\ncertain medicines to treat cancer from Indonesia will be
\ninternationally recognized, Lauren said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-trouble-and-strife-on-the-cards-in-2002-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}