Political analysts debate stability after Soeharto era<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The political stability in the \"Post-Soeharto\"
\nera envisioned by B.J. Habibie is not something the nation should
\ntake for granted, two political analysts say.<\/p>\n
Amir Santoso and Arbi Sanit, both lecturers at the University
\nof Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences, said
\nthere is still plenty of work to be done to secure political
\nstability in the event that President Soeharto no longer rules.<\/p>\n
\"We have no mechanism to prepare us for the changes (in
\nleadership),\" Amir told The Jakarta Post by phone.<\/p>\n
He cited the need for more political education in Indonesia to
\ncreate an environment of free and honest competition, and to
\ninstill the spirit of sportsmanship among politicians.<\/p>\n
Arbi Sanit, in a separate interview, raised concerns about the
\npractical implementation.<\/p>\n
\"Is there any guarantee of stability?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
The debate about the \"Post-Soeharto\" era was unleashed last
\nweek when Habibie, chairman of the influential Association of
\nIndonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), attempted to appease
\nconcerns about the possibility of political instability after
\nSoeharto is no longer in power.<\/p>\n
Habibie said stability and development would continue because
\nall the mechanisms are well in place.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, 75, is serving his sixth consecutive five-year term
\nwhich ends in March 1998. The incumbent has not publicly stated
\nhis intention, but various organizations, including the ruling
\npolitical group Golkar, have urged him to remain at the helm.<\/p>\n
Amir did not rule out the possibility that a change in
\nnational leadership would occur as early as 1998.<\/p>\n
Arbi said the power elite must prepare for the \"Post-Soeharto\"
\nera.<\/p>\n
They need to gather their efforts and vision in determining
\nthe country's direction, instead of continuing to go their own
\nseparate ways, he said.<\/p>\n
He argued for more efforts to increase people's participation
\nin national development.<\/p>\n
\"What we need is leadership with democracy, one which is ready
\nto accept open and fair competition, able to combine the vision
\nof statesmanship and politicians instead of stagnating in
\nbureaucracy,\" Arbi said.<\/p>\n
Habibie, who is also state minister of research and
\ntechnology, said he was compelled to broach the subject and give
\nassurances to foreign investors that there would be sustainable
\ndevelopment and political stability after Soeharto is gone.<\/p>\n
Arbi considered the tactic outdated.<\/p>\n
\"Investors are more knowledgeable than we are, because we have
\nalways assumed that providing them with information would
\ndissuade them from knowing our real condition,\" he said. (06)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-analysts-debate-stability-after-soeharto-era-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}