Political researchers call for new president<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Nineteen political researchers affiliated with
\nthe National Institute of Sciences (LIPI) called on the nation
\nyesterday to elect a new president for the sake of much needed
\npolitical and economic reforms.<\/p>\n
The scientists said in a joint statement that new national
\nleadership would help the country heal its economy and restore
\nits pride.<\/p>\n
\"We are facing more than just an economic crisis, (it is also)
\na crisis of dignity... with many workers having their wages cut
\nso that they cannot afford to maintain their pride as people of a
\ncountry self-sufficient in rice,\" the statement said.<\/p>\n
Their call was made a few hours after incumbent President
\nSoeharto officially accepted his renomination for a seventh five-
\nyear term in office, put forward by the ruling Golkar.<\/p>\n
The group also criticized the government for only pledging to
\nundertake austerity measures and economic reform after consulting
\nwith the International Monetary Fund and receiving a US$43
\nbillion rescue package.<\/p>\n
\"The government trusts foreign ideas more than national
\nresources, despite the fact that we have long been demanding some
\nof the IMF concepts.<\/p>\n
\"This administration has turned a blind eye and closed its
\nconscience to what people say, and it behaves as if nothing bad
\nhas happened. They (officials) always respond to any ideas
\noutside their circle with suspicion, rather than becoming
\nenthusiastic about increased public participation,\" it said.<\/p>\n
They were skeptical about the IMF-sponsored severe economic
\nmeasures working.<\/p>\n
They said that these measures would only deal the people a
\nsevere blow because price hikes would follow the termination of a
\nfuel subsidy starting April.<\/p>\n
\"People know that none of the (reform) measures will restore
\ntheir confidence, because the crisis is the result of the greed
\nof a small group of people close to the power holders,\" one of
\nthe scientists, Ikrar Nusa Bakti, said.<\/p>\n
Ikrar said he and his colleagues had assessed all the risks
\nthey might face for voicing their opinions.<\/p>\n
\"This is a moral drive, which is far from having any vested
\ninterest. We are prepared to take the risk, including facing
\nadministrative sanctions from the institution we work for,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The scientists are members of the civil servants corps and,
\ntherefore, are required to affiliate with the dominant political
\norganization Golkar.<\/p>\n
Another scientist, Hermawan Sulistyo, said top executives of
\nthe institute knew about, and deplored their critical joint
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
Hermawan said some other colleagues had initially agreed to
\njoin them, but had withdrawn for various reasons.<\/p>\n
He refused to identify these scientists.<\/p>\n
He said the group would not campaign for an alternative
\ncandidate to run for president.<\/p>\n
\"We are not partisans who favor certain figures,\" he said.
\n(amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-researchers-call-for-new-president-1447893297",
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