People express dissapointment,<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Five years have passed since the reform movement was first
\ndemanded by students from various universities in the capital and
\nother major cities in the country.<\/p>\n
Many things have happened after the demand - including the
\nriots that erupted in Jakarta and other cities and the downfall
\nof former president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
People have made sacrifices. Some lost their families in the
\nstudents movements -- the four Trisakti University students were
\nrecognized as heroes of reform -- others lost family members in
\nthe riots.<\/p>\n
But life goes on for many Indonesians. However, after five
\nyears, some have expressed their dissatisfaction, disappointment
\nover the reform and the condition of the country at present.<\/p>\n
Below are interviews from a wide range of people.<\/p>\n
Nabiel Makarim, State Minister for the Environment.<\/p>\n
We must distinguish reform from revolution and peace coup. In
\nrevolution, there is a drastic change in the state, a high number
\nof fatalities and strict line between pro and anti-revolution.
\nBut reform means the change in managing our country is gradual,
\nand victims are few, and no strict line between pro and anti-
\nreform.<\/p>\n
Therefore, those who lead the country must be clever in
\nsetting up main agendas to resolve the country problems. At
\npresent, everyone can see that the main agenda of the government
\nis to resolve conflicts in Papua, Aceh and other restive areas to
\nmaintain the unity of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
We can see that tension in those areas has decreased although
\nit is heating up again currently.<\/p>\n
The next step is to improve the macroeconomic condition, which
\nis still not really impressive.<\/p>\n
Then we should fight corruption. If the government dares to do
\nso in the first place, until now we might be still fighting each
\nother on the street.<\/p>\n
So reform is still underway, it does not stop.<\/p>\n
Ay, 22, is a fourth year student at Atma Jaya University and a
\nChinese-Indonesian who lives in West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
First of all, I'd like to say that I am very appreciative of
\nthe students, in 1998, who did an unbelievably courageous thing,
\nbut now the politicians and leaders have ruined the whole spirit
\nof reform with their lies, corruption and manipulation of the
\nterm, reformasi for their own political gain. It is sad and
\ntragic.<\/p>\n
As a Chinese-Indonesian, I don't know if I speak for all, but
\nmost of my friends and family still harbor a great of amount of
\ndistrust for the government\/bureaucracy. We have been victimized
\ntoo many times in this country's history, and do not easily
\nforget that one spark could start it all over again for whatever
\nreason.<\/p>\n
We feel that we cannot win, especially when it comes to the
\njustice system -- from an average traffic accident to the rapes
\nthat occurred five years ago. The entire government and
\nbureaucracy is made up of people who do not have respect for us
\nand will abuse their position -- despite the newly created laws
\ncalling for an end to discrimination -- to victimize us.<\/p>\n
I still have many, many friends who are not even considered
\nfull Indonesian citizens!<\/p>\n
Apart from the Chinese-Indonesian issues, however, I feel that
\nreform was the right path, we can't go back, and hopefully the
\ncurrent problems with bad leaders and corruption is just a kind
\nof growing pain as democracy is now in its infancy, and in the
\nlong-term, it will be better for all of us who live in Indonesia,
\nno matter what color or religion we are.<\/p>\n
Ismira Lutfhia, a public affairs officer at a multinational
\ncompany.<\/p>\n
The reform movement has changed the life of Indonesians,
\nparticularly in freedom of expression which is a basic need. It
\nis a human right and a part of democracy so we must thank those
\nin the reform movement.<\/p>\n
History has proven that freedom of expression in many fields
\nsuch as politics, science and culture have enabled many countries
\nto advance.<\/p>\n
Since Indonesia is still in the euphoria of freedom after 32-
\nyear of former president Soeharto's ruling, many people use
\nfreedom as they like, which I can't understand. I think we need
\nto start controlling our freedom. Don't use freedom of expression
\nexcessively to legitimize our action.<\/p>\n
The government must establish a better education system to
\nmake people more critical so they could establish their own
\njudgment when they must limit their freedom.<\/p>\n
On the negative side, I'm worried over the rampant crime in
\nthe country and the government's inability to curb widespread
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
Our leaders currently may think that they must conduct corrupt
\npractices as it is their turn to be rich. If they don't do it
\nnow, they can't be prosperous anymore as we may not choose them
\nin the near future.<\/p>\n
However, people should not be hopeless with the current reform
\nas it is a process where all of us must be involved to improve
\nthings that have yet to be achieved.<\/p>\n
Sari Nila, public relations personnel at PT Marmitria Raya
\nTirta.<\/p>\n
I don't think life has gotten better in the last five years.<\/p>\n
Firstly, the economy is not getting better. In fact it's
\ngetting worse. People involved in business need to have a stable
\neconomic condition. Otherwise businesspeople won't get any
\nprofits.<\/p>\n
Many investors decline to put their money in our country due
\nto our economic situation.<\/p>\n
I think the farmers and villagers suffer the most from the
\nworsened economic condition. Before 1997, they could buy
\nmotorbikes but now they have to sell them.<\/p>\n
Secondly, the people in the government and our legislators are
\nno smarter than those under Soeharto's administration.<\/p>\n
Take B.J. Habibie for example. He was able to control the
\nexchange rate against the U.S. dollar -- from Rp 15,000 to Rp
\n9,000 -- which was great. Nobody else could ever do that.<\/p>\n
The officials' quality is not even better. They are also
\ncorrupt. Back then, almost all officials were corrupt but at
\nleast they knew what to do.<\/p>\n
I'd rather go back to the era before reform. Everybody was
\nhappy, now everybody is complaining with the skyrocketing prices.<\/p>\n
I don't believe that all Indonesians wanted reform. I strongly
\nbelieve that reform was only proposed by a group of political
\nelite who has had an ambition to rule this country.<\/p>\n
They don't need to shout out 'reform' jargon, it's more
\nimportant for them to do their job. Sorry, but I don't believe in
\nreform.<\/p>\n
Santi, 28, a housewife living in Bintaro area, Tangerang.<\/p>\n
I don't think my life has gotten better in the last five
\nyears. If it had, the company where I used to work wouldn't have
\ngone bankrupt and I wouldn't lose my job.<\/p>\n
What's the better condition nowadays? The U.S. dollar's
\nexchange rate is higher. Five years ago, it was only Rp 2,500 for
\nUS$1 but now it's more than three times higher. Every thing is
\nalso expensive now while my husband's salary has not increased
\nthat high.<\/p>\n
I personally think everything remains the same, it's just
\ndifferent people. Back then, Soeharto's family ruled everything,
\nnow it's Taufik Kiemas. At least, that's what I've heard from my
\nhusband's colleagues.<\/p>\n
It's not easy to change our people's mindset as they had lived
\nunder the same doctrine for over 30 years. It's easy to say what
\nto do but it's always difficult to implement it, moreover apply
\nit for millions of Indonesians.<\/p>\n
Actually, there are still many idealist people in our country
\nbut since they are not part of a certain party they could not be
\nin power. Unfortunately, those who join political parties are the
\nambitious ones. They always forget their promises made during the
\ncampaign period.<\/p>\n
People who have power nowadays only think of how to get a
\nbreak-even-point as they had spend millions of rupiah for the
\ncampaign. If they only rely on their salaries, it won't be
\nenough.<\/p>\n
How can reform go on if the political elite still have that
\nkind of mindset, thinking of earning money for themselves? Even
\nthe haves still search for money, what about the poor?<\/p>\n
Bimo Chondro, an artist living in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The best thing about reform is freedom of speech, which is
\nvery good now. During Soeharto's regime, we could never get any
\ntruthful news, but now officials' corruption can be disclosed by
\nthe press. The openness can also be seen in TV where many
\nstations now have programs discussing sex.<\/p>\n
If we talk about the economic condition, it was definitely
\nbetter during Soeharto's regime as the exchange rate of US$ was
\nonly Rp 2,000.<\/p>\n
The security is worsening. Back then we could walk around all
\nnight without any fear. We used to have petrus (mysterious
\nshooters) who killed many thugs. But now even in our own car we
\nare scared of criminals.<\/p>\n
To be frank, I don't understand reform. All I know is there
\nwas only one person shouting about reform: Amien Rais. Even
\nMegawati said she never initiated reform.<\/p>\n
I think in general the reform movement is not moving anywhere.
\nCorruption is getting worse thanks to the regional autonomy which
\nallows officials in provinces to enrich themselves.<\/p>\n
If the reform movement is returned to the goal: Eradicate KKN
\n(corruption, collusion and nepotism), then that would be great. A
\nclean government, whoever the president is, will create a better
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
I hope our political elite can understand that. They should
\nwork together to rule this country instead of condemning each
\nother.<\/p>\n
Andrew Linggar, 31, manager of Octagon Photography Services.<\/p>\n
Reform has allowed most of us to speak freely which could not
\nbe done before reform. Unfortunately, we are not mature enough
\nyet with differences caused by such openness. Some people are
\nvery sensitive because they are not used to the openness.<\/p>\n
But basically I don't think there has been any major
\nimprovements -- especially in politics. Well, staying where we
\nwere five years ago is already a drawback because we should have
\nmade more progress by now.<\/p>\n
The problem is not whether the reform has failed or not but
\nthe system has been rotten for a very, very long time. Not to
\nmention that our current government does not have a long-term
\nvision.<\/p>\n
Look at other Asian countries. Malaysia, for example, is doing
\nits best to boost the information technology sector.<\/p>\n
Another example is the Chinese government which is also doing
\nits utmost to promote the filming industry to convey other images
\nand perspectives of China.<\/p>\n
Personally, I do hope for a better Indonesia but have to be
\npatient because I know it'll still take a long time.<\/p>\n
We need a major breakthrough while most of us are already
\nsatisfied with what and where we are now.<\/p>\n
Ratna Wulansari, 30, project control engineer for a
\nconstruction project management company.<\/p>\n
We have to admit that it is more open now thanks to the reform
\nmovement but still it is not transparent.<\/p>\n
In some cases, the situation is even worse than in the past.
\nNow corruption is rife everywhere. People are just openly corrupt
\nnow as they don't feel ashamed of it compared to before the
\nreform.<\/p>\n
There has been little progress made in five years. We still
\nhave to work hard to reach the reform ideals.<\/p>\n
But I don't want all of us to return to the old regime because
\nit is much better now. What we have to do is change the current
\nregime with totally new people. Those who are in power are still
\nthe old players.<\/p>\n
Yulina Setianingsih Duhri, 26, a freelance writer.<\/p>\n
I think the condition now is getting worse than before reform.
\nThere was a slight improvement under President B.J. Habibie back
\nthen but the condition then declined steadily especially in the
\neconomic sector.<\/p>\n
The number of unemployed people is rising as well as the
\nprices of basic commodities and rates of basic services. Most of
\npoor people can no longer stand such a condition.<\/p>\n
Security has also deteriorated. I no longer feel safe to
\ntravel at night, unlike before reform.<\/p>\n
But I think we must continue the reform process because it has
\nbrought, among other things, press freedom to us. Megawati,
\nhowever, seems to try to control and limit the press freedom.<\/p>\n
What we really need is a total regime change including the
\npeople, not only the leader. We expected that everything would
\nbecome better once Soeharto was toppled. But it did not work that
\nway.<\/p>\n
Dadan Umar Daihani, an expert in electricity and currently
\nheads the Department of Research and Development at Trisakti
\nUniversity, Jakarta. He actively collaborated with the student
\nmovement in 1998.<\/p>\n
The situation in general is getting better nowadays, in a
\nsense that Indonesia has a chance for change. However, despite
\nthe opportunity, it seems that our leaders are still not able to
\nmaterialize the dreams of reform.<\/p>\n
Corruption remains rampant in the country. The quality of our
\nhuman resources is still lagging behind other countries, we are
\neven ranked eighth out of the 10 countries within the Association
\nof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
It is not exaggerating to say that we are currently in an
\nextraordinary situation.<\/p>\n
As we conclude that the leaders have failed to make changes,
\nwe are currently in dire need of new blood in leadership
\npositions. We need leaders who are honest, keen to make changes
\nand able to take lessons from the past.<\/p>\n
Herman Susanto, 34, a coaching businessman.<\/p>\n
I always look for the silver lining in every thing, including
\nthis reform era. I think reform is good for us since now we see
\nfreedom of speech and press freedom.<\/p>\n
My family has run a medium-sized shipping business since 1992.
\nBut both in the New Order or in the reform era, we have to
\nencounter pay illegal fees in order to keep the business going.
\nRegarding that, I don't see much change.<\/p>\n
When the May riots broke out in 1998, I was in Singapore, but
\nmy family was in Jakarta. We deemed living in Indonesia was not
\nsafe for us, so we decided to move abroad temporarily. But when
\nwe saw the security here was getting better, we decided to return
\nhome.<\/p>\n
I am now happy seeing how the Chinese-Indonesian community is
\nwidely accepted. Now we can celebrate Chinese New Year and see
\nMandarin-language advertisements in public places such as
\nshopping malls.<\/p>\n
And I think reform is good for business players, especially
\nfor new players, since I see more opportunities are opened by the
\nchanges in business politics. I see less KKN (corruption,
\ncollusion, nepotism) practices in business.<\/p>\n
I acknowledge that the economy was more stable in Soeharto's
\nera than that in reform. However, stability is not necessarily
\ngood. For me, in business, changes are a challenge.<\/p>\n
I often travel to Singapore. I like it there, as it is clean
\nand safe. I can go home at 2 a.m. without any worries. However, I
\nprefer to live in Indonesia since it offers many business
\nopportunities for me.<\/p>\n
Vicky, 25, a former student activist who took part in the 1998
\nstudent movement demanding reform. Now he is working as a chicken
\nbreeder at a poultry farm in Pekanbaru, Riau.<\/p>\n
I don't see my life and my fellow Indonesians' life is better
\nthan five years ago, especially because nowadays life is not
\nstructured, it's all in disarray.<\/p>\n
I can understand that. Indonesia is like a baby and forced to
\nquickly run. The condition turns everything into a mess.<\/p>\n
I consider my demonstration days are not all worthless because
\nas we all can see now, the condition is more conducive for us to
\nvoice our mind freely than we used to.<\/p>\n
Such a liberal condition, however, should be followed by a
\nmature control mechanism, because without one everybody would
\nscream their thoughts unrestrained, which could violate someone
\nelse's right.<\/p>\n
Maybe, it's the nature of Indonesians, that we need to be
\ncontrolled to some extent.<\/p>\n
We should realize that when everybody yell, who can listen?
\nWhatever happens, we need to be conscious of restraining and
\ncontrolling ourselves. Moreover, we need to learn how and fast.<\/p>\n
Again, the reform era is young and naturally it will there
\nwill be some teething pain, like a baby, then the time will come
\nwhen the \"baby\" can choose on its own.<\/p>\n
Utut Adianto, 38, a chess Grand Master and graduate of
\nPadjadjaran University specializing in political science.<\/p>\n
The reform movement has hardly touched the national sports
\nworld. Athletes, like any other people in general, indeed now
\nhave the courage to speak up.<\/p>\n
But their well-being has not improved. It is the same as
\nbefore. If the barometer of our national sport's progress is how
\nwe perform at a multi-event sporting showcase, then we have been
\nsuffering a setback given our athletes' performance at the SEA
\nGames in the past five years.<\/p>\n
We need to decide whether sports should be pushed and
\nsupported for national pride in the international arena or should
\nit just be taken up as a routine activity.<\/p>\n
If our goal is to make the national sports to on a standard
\nwhere we can compete internationally, there is no other way but
\nto set aside the budget to finance sports development.<\/p>\n
It appears that the reform movement has had no positive
\ncorrelation with sports. Sports have been neglected. The
\nliquidation of the office of state minister of sports and youth
\naffairs is an obvious proof that the government neglects sports.<\/p>\n
I haven't seen any reformist interested in any sport, or those
\nwho have taken steps to improving our sports.<\/p>\n
Urmy Sungkar, chairman of the Indonesian hotel and restaurant
\nassociation, Batam Chapter and also director of PT Kawasan
\nPembangunan Nongsa, Batam Island.<\/p>\n
I think everything is getting rowdier now, that is what I can
\nsum up from the current situation.<\/p>\n
Reform means renewal, but reality tells us that what
\ntranspires is quite the contrary. Our sacrifices have not been
\nworthwhile.<\/p>\n
As of now, I don't see many changes in Indonesia. There are
\nmany things that still need to be improved. But if things are
\ngetting worse, what can we say about them. I don't know where to
\nstart with the improvement.<\/p>\n
I assume the reform movement is stalled because most of
\nIndonesians are not yet ready to undertake it. To me as a
\nbusinessman, there are a lot of uncertainties, laws are still
\nviolated, illegal charges imposed on businesspeople are still
\nrampant and show an increasing trend. All this shows that reform
\nis not underway.<\/p>\n
However, we must not lose hope, change will come. I take life
\nas a wheel, it keeps on rolling, the bottom will, in time, be
\nelevated to the top. The question is will we be strong enough to
\nendure the test? But I am assured that one day we will rise.<\/p>\n
The reform should start with the government first. They should
\nbe more responsive to the demands from the people. It should give
\nmore incentives to the business community, instead of inflicting
\nmore burden.<\/p>\n
Bambang Susanto Priyohadi, is a secretary of the Yogyakarta
\nprovincial administration.<\/p>\n
For one thing, since the reform movement began, we have all
\nwitnessed a big change in people's willingness to voice their
\nopinions, although I have also noticed that many go too far. Some
\noften articulate their wishes without a clear framework.<\/p>\n
In regards efforts to create a clean government, which means
\neliminating practices of KKN (corruption, collusion and
\nnepotism), I have to admit that there have been dynamic and
\nprogressive changes in regional administrations, particularly in
\ntheir organization and budgetary systems.<\/p>\n
In many regions, including those outside Java, a performance-
\nbased budgetary system has generally worked in place of the old
\nand routine development budgetary system, which was prone to KKN
\npractices. Yogyakarta, too, plans to implement the new budgetary
\nsystem next week.<\/p>\n
It seems to me that most regional governments in the country
\nhave been better prepared than the central government to realize
\nthe reform agenda. The central government has not even
\nestablished a minimum standard of public service during the last
\nfive years, and has only produced numerous contradictory
\nregulations.<\/p>\n
In this case, I suggest that the President form a special team
\nwhose main task is to coordinate and evaluate the application of
\nthe reform agenda.<\/p>\n
In general, I can say that the reform movement has been moving
\nalong in the sense that we have succeeded in eliminating the
\npsychological barrier we inherited from the past, although we
\nstill need to change our mind-set and values further.<\/p>\n
Suparbedo, 35, owns a construction consultancy in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
I have the feeling that the reform movement has been generally
\ngoing along the right track. But I have also noticed that there
\nare many parties or individuals who have been taking advantage of
\nthe reform agenda for their own benefit and interests.<\/p>\n
As a result, reform is proceeding very slowly and sometimes is
\nalso marred by conflicts of interests here and there. The
\npolitical elites are fighting each other for their own interests
\nand the interests of their respective groups.<\/p>\n
If we do nothing to resolve this and such conflicts of
\ninterests are left unsettled, I'm afraid we will not only fail to
\nachieve the objectives of the reform movement, but we will also
\nnever be able to make any reforms at all.<\/p>\n
What is also worrisome is the fact that the reform movement
\nhas failed to eradicate KKN practices. In fact, the situation is
\nworsening, as the practices now involve not only the executive,
\nbut also the legislative, branch.<\/p>\n
I have to admit that control as exercised by the legislative
\nbranch is there, but the money allocated toward certain goals is
\nmuch greater now, because we have to pay more individuals.<\/p>\n
Sumarni, 35, is a housewife in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The reform movement is nothing but a complete failure. The
\nproof is simple and obvious: We have to spend more money for
\nalmost everything, while the family's income shrinks.<\/p>\n
Unemployment is everywhere, violence and crimes are on the
\nrise, not to mention the various conflicts as the one in Aceh.
\nPeople are fighting each other and at the same time, corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism practices make the headlines of newspapers
\nacross the country.<\/p>\n
Can we truly say that reform has brought us goodness?<\/p>\n
The reform movement can be considered successful only when we
\nsee improvements in people's welfare, when basic commodities are
\nsold at reasonable prices and people live together in harmony --
\nand when corrupters are brought to justice and sentenced fairly.<\/p>\n
Eka Santosa, is speaker of the West Java provincial
\nlegislature.<\/p>\n
Many unfinished businesses remain after five years of reform
\nin the country, particularly in economy and law enforcement. But
\nas a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, I
\nbelieve President Megawati Soekarnoputri has brought improvement
\nto this nation.<\/p>\n
It would be ideal if we could attain all of the reform goals,
\nbut the problem is, we have succeeded an evil regime and we
\ncannot eliminate its legacy entirely -- particularly those
\nindividuals of the past regime who are still occupying posts in
\neither the government or the legislature.<\/p>\n
We cannot turn a blind eye toward the progress we have made so
\nfar in our democracy. We are free to articulate our opinions,
\neven if they are different from the government's stance, and even
\nif they oppose the central government's attempt to meddle with
\nour business.<\/p>\n
I suggest that the current government create more economic
\npolicies that will benefit as many people of the lower-income
\nbracket as possible. The people's welfare is the indicator by
\nwhich to measure the success of a government.<\/p>\n
Megawati should have the guts to make unpopular policies that
\nwill benefit the majority. Complaints are on the rise among the
\npublic, who say that unlike the Soeharto era, it us more
\ndifficult now to earn money, even dirty money.<\/p>\n
Ine Febriyanti, is an actress who lives in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
One thing for sure, there we now have freedom of expression.
\nOur press has become more open in its coverage, for example. But
\nother things are still as complicated as they were before.<\/p>\n
Such freedom of expression allows us artists to have more
\ncreative freedom, compared to when we were still under the New
\nOrder regime.<\/p>\n
My latest play, for example, Ekstrim, would not have been
\npossible without the current environment of freedom of
\nexpression.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, such expression has allowed so many people
\nto stage so many rallies on so many different issues. The public
\nis sometimes confused about which rallies really express our
\nconcerns.<\/p>\n
I still do hope that we can eventually build a new Indonesia,
\nalthough we may be having a difficult time now. I think it is
\npart of our maturing process, if we want to be a great nation.
\nThere are many examples throughout history that countries must
\nendure many struggles before it can emerge a mature country.<\/p>\n
As for myself, there's not much difference between before and
\nafter the reform movement regarding to my getting parts. I do not
\nreally engage in commercial acting parts and play mostly artistic
\nones, so the impact is almost nil.<\/p>\n
Iga Mawarni, is a jazz singer living in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
There are several improvements, such as the freedom of
\nexpression and the fact that the government is no longer
\nauthoritarian.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, though, there are some drawbacks, such as
\nthat some groups in society want to force their will upon other
\ngroups, or refuse to be more transparent.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, it is part of the long process of development,
\nalthough we have to admit that other Asian countries are coping
\nwith the economic crisis faster.<\/p>\n
The crisis opened the eyes of those countries, and they also
\nquickly learned from it.<\/p>\n
I don't think returning to an authoritarian regime is an
\noption, because we have to continue with the reform. Still, we
\ncannot look to each other to start something.<\/p>\n
It is also important for our leaders to set an example for the
\npeople and take a firm stand against those who oppose the reform
\nmovement. These people will do anything to stop, or at least
\nhinder, the reform movement.<\/p>\n
We also have to make a commitment to continue the reform
\nmovement to create a better Indonesia.<\/p>\n
It may be late for us, because it has been five years now, but
\nI do believe that most Indonesians live by the principle of alon-
\nalon asal kelakon (slowly but surely).<\/p>\n
Oyong Karmayudha, is a secretary general of the National
\nSports Council (KONI) as well as president of the Asia Pacific
\nPencak Silat Federation. He is also a former KAMI activist of the
\n1966 student movement.<\/p>\n
I think the reform movement has passed its boundaries and no
\nlonger believes in the ideals that were being fought for. No
\nwonder so many people say that it was better under the old
\nregime.<\/p>\n
For example, security was deemed much, much better under
\nSoeharto's rule. So was legal certainty, because people still
\nrespected the law back then.<\/p>\n
Look at what's happening now. People can take justice into
\ntheir own hands like burning thieves or other kinds of street
\njustice.<\/p>\n
We all know that legal supremacy is something we fought for
\nduring reform era. All I feel now is mounting disappointment.<\/p>\n
Our people no longer have any sense of ethics, tolerance or
\nwisdom.<\/p>\n
I believe that we must put the reform movement back on track,
\nalthough this will be a difficult thing to do. I don't think
\nthose who are accustomed to and are taking advantage of the
\ncurrent climate are willing to change.<\/p>\n
However, I have not lost my hope for the reform movement,
\nbecause we can still fix it together. In order to do this, we
\nneed our national leaders to take the initiative to draft a
\nnational commitment and execute it in the proper manner.<\/p>\n
All this political commotion has, to some extent, affected the
\nsports world, because unstable politics leads to a weak economy,
\nat a time when most sports organizations still depend on
\ncontributions for their financial survival.<\/p>\n
The government itself can do very little to help the sports
\nsector, but at the same time, they demand the athletes to perform
\nwell to help fix Indonesia's image.<\/p>\n
But how can we perform well at the regional and international
\nlevels if we do not have enough competitions at home?<\/p>\n
Since the government can't help us, then it is up to us to
\nsimply do our best despite the hardships we are suffering -- not
\nonly in sports, but also in other fields.<\/p>\n
Ferdy Hasan, 29, is a TV announcer and model.<\/p>\n
Are you kidding? Just watch Buser and other similar crime
\nprograms on television. Where do you think they get the content
\n(for their news) from?<\/p>\n
Somebody should do something about the crime rate. I would
\nfeel a lot safer then.<\/p>\n
Baharuddin Aritonang, is a legislator of the Golkar faction:<\/p>\n
I think the results of the reform movement that began five
\nyears ago is so-so. There are some achievements, but also some
\ngoals that have yet to be achieved.<\/p>\n
We can see some progresses in state management. The
\nConstitution has been amended, laws have been revised. We are
\nstill waiting to see their implementation.<\/p>\n
Besides the progress in the infrastructure, though, we still
\nsee that the mentality of the state leaders and politicians have
\nnot been reformed. Politicians often cannot accept the victory of
\nothers.<\/p>\n
In the legislation process, I see the factions in the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) are more transparent and responsive. Each
\nfaction is more willing to accommodate the aspirations of the
\npeople in the deliberation of bills.<\/p>\n
Public participation and control of the media will definitely
\nimprove the quality of legislation.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the reform movement is misunderstood by the
\nelite of regional administrations. Widespread money politics was
\noften reported during regional gubernatorial and regental
\nelections.<\/p>\n
We ask that our friends in non-governmental organizations
\ncontinue their criticisms.<\/p>\n
In the recruitment of legislative members, the reform movement
\nhas encouraged the inclusion of politicians with varying
\nbackgrounds. Legislative institutions have been filled with
\npeople with differing educational backgrounds and levels of
\ncompetency and discipline. In this regard, though, I think
\nlegislators in the past had better discipline.<\/p>\n
Candra Wijaya, 28, is a professional badminton player, who won
\na gold in the men's doubles at the 2000 Olympics and at the 1997
\nWorld Championships.<\/p>\n
I see that freedom of speech and democracy has improved after
\nthe reform. Unfortunately, the opposite holds true in the
\neconomy. Many people still live in poverty, while the gap between
\nthe rich and the poor grows wider.<\/p>\n
As an athlete, I'm very pessimistic about development of
\nsports in the country. The government pays no attention at all to
\nsports. They don't have any sports development programs. I'm
\nafraid that within 10 years, we will be left behind by other
\nSoutheast Asian countries, although we used to be number one in
\nthis region.<\/p>\n
I still hope the government will eventually pay attention to
\nathletes' welfare. In other countries, champions are always
\nrewarded, like with lifetime pensions or cash bonuses.<\/p>\n
Of course, I received a check from a private company when I
\nwon in the Olympics, but I also had to pay tax on the bonus.
\nInstead of giving me money, the government got money from me off
\nmy bonus.<\/p>\n
For the future, the government must focus on the two most
\nimportant aspects: Law and education. I hope there won't be
\ndiscrimination toward Chinese-Indonesians like myself anymore. I
\nalso hope more and more citizens can enjoy their right to
\neducation.<\/p>\n
Indonesia needs a leader who is smart, responsible and able to
\nset an example for the people. The political elite should not be
\nselfish by thinking about their own, or their group's, benefit.
\nThey must pay more attention to the people.<\/p>\n
Roy Suryo, is a lecturer and IT consultant:<\/p>\n
Well, as a lecturer and an information technology consultant,
\nI think my life hasn't changed much, with or without the reform
\nmovement. The condition and the mind-set of our society remain
\nthe same.<\/p>\n
There are, of course, some changes -- we're more democratic
\nnow and are free to speak our minds. Four years after the reform,
\nI must say that there was no development at all in our country,
\nbecause we were busy with the political unrest of a constantly
\nchanging leadership.<\/p>\n
However, in the last six months there has been a slight
\nimprovement in our country. A lot of infrastructure development
\nhas happened.<\/p>\n
All the projects halted after the 1998 financial crisis were
\ngradually restarted, such as the flyover and the Jakarta Outer
\nRing Road project, the telecommunication infrastructure and many
\nmore.<\/p>\n
It's only within these last six months that I and many IT
\nbusinessmen have felt comfortable doing business, because the
\ncurrency has stabilized and the macroeconomic condition is better
\nfor business.<\/p>\n
In future, I'd like to see a limitation on political parties,
\nbecause they just tend to waste the states money. Small parties
\ntend to take advantage of the government's financial assistance,
\nrather than fighting for their constituents.<\/p>\n
Another important thing is that the country needs a clean and
\nhonest leader who has a strong commitment toward fighting the
\ncorruption that has been an inherent part of our society since
\nthe Dutch occupation.<\/p>\n
It's not hard, but at the very least, we need someone clean to
\nbe a good role model for our people.<\/p>\n
Ferry Salim, 34, is a graduate of the Art Institute of Seattle,
\nand made his big-screen debut in the lead role in the historical
\ndrama Ca-Bau-Kan.<\/p>\n
I'm generally happier, because there are things that I wanted
\nto see happen, which was impossible five years ago, like a public
\ncelebration of Imlek (Chinese New Year).<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is a lighthouse for other countries in the world in
\nall aspects of life\" -- somebody said that along time ago, but I
\ncan't seem to recall who. Perhaps it was Sukarno, our first
\npresident.<\/p>\n
You think that's impossible? Too fast? Hey, changes happen and
\nthey happen very fast. Just look at Iraq. Yesterday they existed,
\nand today they don't.<\/p>\n
Mayong S. Laksono, 42, is a journalist, TV producer and TV
\nannouncer.<\/p>\n
Personally yes, I'm financially more secure, but if you look
\nout there, there are actually more people without jobs than
\nbefore. And crime is everywhere. The criminals are above the law!<\/p>\n
I would like to see that in 10 years, this country will have a
\nleader with the vision to solve problems. They don't have to be
\nultra-smart. We have enough smart people leading this country;
\njust someone who can solve problems.<\/p>\n
Ade Rai, 33, is an athlete, bodybuilder and businessman.<\/p>\n
Yes. My work is better, my personal life is better.<\/p>\n
People's awareness about health will improve. In 10 years,
\npeople will not feel guilty about telling someone who is smoking
\nto put out their cigarettes.<\/p>\n
Bayu Krisnamurti, is the director of the center for development
\nstudies at the Bogor University of Agriculture:<\/p>\n
As a member of society, the slow growth of the country's
\nmacroeconomic sector has influenced my life since the reform era
\nemerged in the country.<\/p>\n
Personally, I welcome the spirit of reform in the agricultural
\nsector, as we can build an integrated policy in agriculture to
\nhelp improve the already ailing sector.<\/p>\n
However, the current condition is relatively the same as the
\nNew Order era, in which agriculture policies were still focused
\non the central government.<\/p>\n
Worse still, many of the ongoing policies taken by the
\ngovernment, such as in sugar and rice that empowered the State
\nLogistics Agency (Bulog), are exactly the same as the New Order's
\npolicy, and this is against the spirit of reform.<\/p>\n
We have yet to find a formula to develop the agricultural
\nsector in line with reform.<\/p>\n
Still, I am hopeful that reform can be attained if the
\ndecision-makers, including the government, the House of
\nRepresentatives and others, such as experts and representatives
\nof the people, can sit together and seek a way to improve the
\ncondition of agriculture.<\/p>\n
I hope that the government can create the long-term
\nagricultural policy, rather than the current short-term policy.<\/p>",
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