More turmoil ahead?<\/p>\n
Tragic. This single word probably sums up better than any
\nother the grim reality that what some people see as a major
\nconcession by President Soeharto has been received with
\nskepticism and even downright rejection by the President's most
\nprominent critics.<\/p>\n
The President's televised address Tuesday was well received in
\nsome quarters, indicated by the fact that the stock market and
\nthe country's battered currency immediately strengthened on hopes
\nthat a compromise solution to the protracted conflict might be
\ntaking form. The President, after all, said he was prepared to
\nstep down, albeit only in a \"constitutional\" manner and after
\ngeneral elections have been held.<\/p>\n
Some people may find fault with those more radical among
\nSoeharto's critics who reject the President's apparent compromise
\ngesture. On the other hand, one could -- on the basis of a number
\nof facts relevant to the President's address -- also readily
\nunderstand the suspicion that persists, or has even intensified,
\namong Soeharto's critics.<\/p>\n
First, on what basis did the President pick the nine community
\nand religious leaders with whom he chose to discuss the situation
\nbefore making his televised announcement? Conspicuously absent
\nwas, for example, Amien Rais, the leader of the 28-million-strong
\nMuhammadiyah Moslem organization and one of the most vocal of
\nPresident Soeharto's critics.<\/p>\n
Among the other prominent leading personalities critical of
\nSoeharto who were excluded from the consultations were Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, ousted chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty and daughter of Indonesia's founding president Sukarno, and
\nvarious respected academics, some of whom last week presented
\nsubstantial suggestions for change which the President said he
\nwould \"thoroughly\" study.<\/p>\n
The inevitable question that this raises is, whose aspirations
\ndid the nine leaders represent? Certainly not those of the more
\noutspoken government critics. The exclusion of vocal critics such
\nas Amien Rais and Megawati Soekarnoputri could create suspicion
\nthat the President was deliberately trying to drive a wedge into
\nhis critics' ranks.<\/p>\n
Second, the omission of a definite timetable and the fact that
\nthe President intends to personally supervise the reform efforts
\ncertainly do not help to inspire confidence among his critics.
\nSoeharto said the country should hold a general election \"as soon
\nas possible\" after a new election law has been put in place. This
\ncould take a long time -- possibly months or even years.<\/p>\n
Third, as the crisis of confidence in the government reaches
\nextreme proportions, many critics are no longer willing to put
\ntheir trust in the President's integrity, suspecting he might
\nmerely be trying to buy time with this latest reform plan.<\/p>\n
Given the apparently unresolved antagonism that exists between
\nthe President and his critics, it looks as if we may be heading
\ntoward a time of mounting pressure, growing disorder and economic
\ndistress and a further corrosion of Indonesia's image abroad.<\/p>\n
To many people, it may look as if the President is testing
\ntheir patience. What all this could imply for Soeharto,
\nunfortunately, is that he might, by this latest move, be closing
\nthe door for a gracious exit for himself.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-turmoil-ahead-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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