People's concern<\/p>\n
From Pelita<\/p>\n
Statements concerning presidential hopefuls are nothing new.
\nDuring the Old Order regime, the slogan "Life and death for Bung
\nKarno" resounded. In the New Order regime, there always was one
\npresidential candidate only. It proved that the whole population
\nunanimously elected its candidate, at least through political
\norganizations and mass organizations which vied with each other
\nto champion Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Now, in the reform era, after a show of force to support
\nMegawati with bloody thumbprints and signatures on a record-
\nbreaking length of cloth, retaliatory action will be taken to
\nback Habibie. The political climate is heating up before the
\nGeneral Session of the People's Consultative Council (MPR).<\/p>\n
I am greatly concerned about the situation. This nation
\nrecently completed a general election viewed as the most
\ndemocratic so far. Praise has been voiced at regular intervals,
\nincluding from observers abroad. However, the values of democracy
\nare now fading as a result of the behavior of fanatical
\nsupporters of the two camps. They do not understand that
\ndemocracy implies acceptance of defeat and the simultaneous
\nrecognition of another party's victory. The supporters are no
\nlonger rational and apparently want to impose their beliefs on
\nothers. It creates a situation in which clashes are not easy to
\navert.<\/p>\n
The inevitable consequence is the devastation of our nation,
\nwhile other nations snigger in amusement and smirk like a
\nCheshire cat.<\/p>\n
SYNTHIA WAROUW<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/peoples-concern-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }