Politicians react to Soemitro's recent statement<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Gen. (ret) Soemitro's recent statement that the
\ngenerations since the 1945 struggle for independence lack
\ncharacter met with strong reactions yesterday.<\/p>\n
Soemitro, a former commander of the internal security agency
\nsaid on Monday that those born after 1945 were \"pessimistic,
\ncynical, emotional and easily discouraged\".<\/p>\n
Politicians from the ruling Golkar grouping, the Moslem-based
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) and the populist Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) called Soemitro's allegation \"too much of
\na generalization.\"<\/p>\n
\"He's entitled to his opinion,\" Golkar chairman Harmoko said.
\n\"But we can see for ourselves how various generations, including
\nthe 1945, are presently involved in the decision-making processes
\nin all layers of society.\"<\/p>\n
A stronger reaction came from Aisyah Amini of PPP, who
\nretorted that people from Soemitro's generation were not free
\nfrom the flaws he listed.<\/p>\n
\"We know many figures from the generation of independence
\nfighters who never uttered a single word (of criticism of the
\nsystem) until they retired.\"<\/p>\n
Royani Haminullah from PDI threw Soemitro's allegation back to
\nthe present political system which he said does not allow much
\nleeway for the younger generations to act.<\/p>\n
\"General Soemitro shouldn't have made a sweeping
\ngeneralization like that,\" he said. \"The face of today's
\ngeneration is influenced by the deeds of our predecessors.\"<\/p>\n
Talk only<\/p>\n
Soemitro said he was concerned with the current condition in
\nwhich people \"can only talk, but can't solve problems\".<\/p>\n
This syndrome, he says, does not affect people of his 1945
\ngeneration because they have achieved their goals and almost
\ncompleted their duties.<\/p>\n
\"It's time for the younger generations to decide where they
\nare leading this nation,\" the former independence fighter said.<\/p>\n
The situation is more of a challenge for generations born
\nafter 1945 who have grown to become people of lesser character,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
\"Whenever they face problems they can't solve, they become
\napathetic and discouraged...their energy depleted,\" he said. \"If
\nthese traits are not corrected, they will be unable to take
\nfuture challenges.\"<\/p>\n
\"Take care. We don't want our nation to lose direction after
\nPak Harto (President Soeharto) steps down,\" he said further.<\/p>\n
Soemitro acknowledged that he could find many members of the
\nyounger generations who have vast knowledge and clear visions.
\nHowever, they tend to be too narrow and remain entrapped by the
\nboundaries of their organizations, he said.<\/p>\n
Courage<\/p>\n
Harmoko said that the majority of the younger generations is
\nconstantly exposed to lessons on values derived from the state-
\nideology Pancasila, and so they are bound to have idealism and
\ncourage.<\/p>\n
\"They bear the responsibility of seeing the tasks of present
\nand future development completed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Both Aisyah and Royani admitted that there are people from the
\nyounger generations who fit Soemitro's description, but not too
\nmany to warrant such a negative outlook.<\/p>\n
\"First, let's not forget that there are too many factors which
\nplay a role in this situation,\" Royani said. \"No generation can
\nclaim that they are innocent from the guilt of giving one or two
\nbad examples.\"<\/p>\n
Royani pointed that the current political condition was such
\nthat most people, especially from the younger generations, are
\nunable to speak up.<\/p>\n
\"What we call a mechanism for democracy isn't really
\ndemocratic,\" he chided. \"Certainly there are people who are bound
\nto be apathetic in this condition.\"<\/p>\n
He said people from various generations bear the same
\nresponsibility to rectify the situation, but feel that the
\ngovernment should initiate the change.<\/p>\n
\"Let's capitalize on the fact that there are still many people
\nof the younger generations who are idealistic and do care about
\nhow this nation will fare,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Aisyah urged public leaders from Soemitro's generation to give
\ngood examples and help push for the development of strong,
\ncourageous younger generations.<\/p>\n
\"We sure can use some encouragement from them,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Rejecting Royani's view that the political system is to blame,
\nthe chair of the Commission I on political affairs and security
\nat the House of Representatives (DPR), instead pointed a finger
\nat the \"cultural factors\".<\/p>\n
\"We don't have the tradition where people can comfortably
\nexpress different, even conflicting, opinions,\" she said. \"We are
\nnot used to freely speaking our minds.\" (swe)<\/p>",
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