No time to celebrate<\/p>\n
Under normal circumstances I would have rushed to congratulate
\nthe newly elected members of the House of Representatives and
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (DPR\/MPR). My political intuition,
\nhowever, tells me to wait a little longer until all the fog
\nshrouding the political stage has cleared.<\/p>\n
For his election as chairman of the MPR, Amien Rais deserves a
\npat on his shoulder. But Golkar Party's support for him tasted
\nlike bitter wine. Either he has discarded his principles as an
\nuncompromising reformist leader (viz-a-viz the former Soeharto's
\nloyalists), or the Golkar members have indeed metamorphosed
\nthemselves into true reformists and indisputable democrats.<\/p>\n
Another possibility is, of course, the interference of money
\npolitics against which only a handful of honorable members seem
\nto be immune. To the casual onlooker the picture that unfolds,
\ncompounded by the flood of information and disinformation colored
\nby controversial statements or outright political lies, creates
\nan image of extreme confusion. The process toward the democratic
\nelection of a new president after the completion of the general
\nelection has also been agonizingly slow and reeks of suspicion.<\/p>\n
The people are watching impatiently to determine when and how
\nthe new democrats and reformists will translate their pledges,
\nfacilities and party programs into tangible welfare, but not in
\nthe form of legislative seats or executive decrees. In a moral
\nsense, this is absolutely no time to celebrate whatever victory
\nany individual or party manages to score through cunning horse
\ntrading or shameless bribery.<\/p>\n
Any new government must be aware of the urgent problems at
\nhome to be addressed without delay, with vigor and solemn
\nhonesty. Then there is international dependency for economic
\nrecovery that can only be sustained in the long run by a credible
\ngovernmental authority.<\/p>\n
A dedicated, legitimate and trustworthy new government seems
\nto be as imperative as dedicated, honest and trustworthy members
\nof the legislative branch or the \"opposition\", to use a liberal
\npolitical term.<\/p>\n
The time for complacency and hypocritical nonsense in
\npolitical parties is definitely over. To begin with, I would
\nsuggest that the new democrats and reform-minded members start to
\nbrush up and refresh their English language proficiency. This is
\nbecause during their term of office they may be knocked by golden
\nopportunities to make an official tour of some foreign countries
\nand, almost certainly, English will be the best choice for the
\nhonorable members to communicate with their counterparts smoothly
\nand productively.<\/p>\n
I am pleased to know that Amien Rais loves to switch to
\nEnglish terminology or phrases in his formal or informal speech,
\neven in his capacity as MPR chairman. It clearly tells of his
\nglobal sense of mutual concern and understanding.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-time-to-celebrate-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }