Political reforms more imperative than ever<\/p>\n
Since the announcement of his intention to run in the March
\npresidential election, Amien Rais has become more bold in his
\ncriticism of the government. The chairman of the Muhammadiyah
\nMoslem organization talks at length with The Jakarta Post about
\nhis ideas and concepts.<\/p>\n
Questionb: Is the IMF economic reform package enough to
\novercome the economic crisis?<\/p>\n
Amien: Although the package is within the reform spirit, it
\nhas many weaknesses. It projects a zero economic growth which
\nmeans that the economy won't be able to absorb the estimated
\nthree million new job seekers this year. The high rate of company
\nfailures will also increase the unemployment rate nationwide.<\/p>\n
The economic contraction resulting from reduced government
\nspending, combined with an expected inflation rate of 20 percent,
\nwill substantially cut the people's purchasing power.<\/p>\n
Q: Is the IMF package detrimental to the people's interests?<\/p>\n
A: I agree with critics who say that the reforms cater to the
\neconomic needs of the wealthy more than to the interests of the
\npoor.<\/p>\n
I fear that people in the low-income group will vent their
\nanger at the government when inflation begins to bite as soon as
\nthe government goes ahead with its plan to increase fuel prices.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you still insist on political reforms now that the
\ngovernment has announced its economic reforms package?<\/p>\n
A: I am pessimistic that the economic reforms will be fully
\ncarried out. I have always insisted that political reforms are
\nfar more urgent. Economic reforms would not likely succeed
\nwithout political reforms.<\/p>\n
Q: Can you spell out your idea of political reforms?<\/p>\n
A: They should include, at least, term limitation of a president,
\na more open system of recruiting members of the House of
\nRepresentatives and the People's Consultative Assembly,
\ndecentralization in policy-making processes, improvement in
\npolitical environment through revision in the various political
\nlaws. I hope to present the details of the reforms in the
\nupcoming national dialog.<\/p>\n
Political reform should begin by replacing the national
\nleadership, which has created the current system to sustain its
\npower. So, it's impossible to reform the current political system
\nwithout replacing the figures at the top.<\/p>\n
Q: At one time you suggested the establishment of a presidium
\ninstead of appointing a president. What did you mean by that?<\/p>\n
A: We seem to always have difficulties in finding a successor to
\nPresident Soeharto, without getting into a controversy. So I
\nsuggested the appointment of a presidium to lead the nation at
\nthe end of Soeharto's term of office in March.<\/p>\n
Every time we mention a name, say Try Sutrisno, B.J. Habibie
\nor Ginandjar Kartasasmita, as a potential successor, we are
\nalways drawn into endless debates. That could become
\ncounterproductive. If we cannot agree on a suitable replacement,
\nwe can at least appoint five or six figures who have proven track
\nrecords and clean reputations, such as representatives of various
\nfactions, to lead the country.<\/p>\n
Q: You have declared your readiness to be nominated as a
\npresidential candidate. What are you offering the nation?<\/p>\n
A: If I am elected, I will launch both economic and political
\nreforms relevant to Indonesia's future.<\/p>\n
I will revise and introduce laws that will ensure the
\nestablishment of a clean government; will systematically and
\nconsistently eradicate collusion and corruption practices; will
\nuphold the rule of law; and restore the country's political and
\neconomic sovereignty.<\/p>\n
The IMF-backed reforms reflect our dependence on the West. We
\nshould therefore gradually reduce our ties with the IMF, to make
\nourselves more independent.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you plan to push your nomination further?<\/p>\n
A: I have been very passive so far. I have not campaigned for my
\npresidential nomination. But if I see the momentum is conducive,
\nI will join my supporters to knock on the doors of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly, which is the only institution that can
\nprocess the nomination of presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
Q: What about your \"moral\" alliance with Megawati Soekarnoputri?<\/p>\n
A: I have more things in common than differences with Megawati.<\/p>\n
We share the same goals for the democratization of the
\ncountry, for proper law enforcement, for the promotion of
\npeople's interests, the reinvigoration of economic activities by
\nthe majority of the people and, last but not least, for the
\nestablishment of a clean government that is free from collusion,
\ncorruption and nepotism.<\/p>\n
I can work with anyone or any group, including Megawati,
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, church circles, non-governmental
\norganizations, the Armed Forces, Golkar and the business
\ncommunity. I will continue to be open-minded and I am willing to
\nincorporate other peoples' views into my ideas for the future
\nbetterment of the nation. (riz)<\/p>\n
Dialog -- Page 4<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-reforms-more-imperative-than-ever-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }