Priorities of the new govt<\/p>\n
The list of priorities deserving immediate and full attention
\nfrom the new administration under President Megawati and Vice
\nPresident Hamzah Haz seems endless, although admittedly the
\neconomy should be the number one problem to be tackled.<\/p>\n
The less fortunate, in particular the poor section of
\nthe population, estimated to be about 30 percent to 40 percent in
\ntotal, have reason to be optimistic that their welfare will
\nimprove shortly. The main reason is the present Vice President,
\nwho once served under former president Abdurrahman Wahid as
\ncoordinating minister for people's welfare and poverty
\neradication.<\/p>\n
Poverty certainly did not vanish in the few months before he
\nwas dismissed. Being a vice president, Hamzah Haz certainly will
\nhave other duties and responsibilities to shoulder since he is
\nexpected to coordinate and supervise the activities of other
\nministers in the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
It would be in accordance with the miserable conditions of
\nmany people in many regions who are still suffering due to a lack
\nof the most basic human needs (there has been reports of starving
\npeople in some parts of the country), if the Vice President now
\nspends more time and energy concentrating on solving such
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
He can delegate his executive power in this respect to the
\nministers technically in charge with the task, or directly
\ninstruct the various provincial governors to that effect. If the
\nregions are worthy of having the regional autonomy they have so
\nstrongly demanded, then they should be pressed to solve the
\nproblems first because the funds have been made available by the
\ncentral government and international institutes, including UN
\nagencies.<\/p>\n
The new government must base its activities on a concrete and
\nmutually agreed, financially sound poverty eradication program
\nand not just because of religious morality or political party
\nconsiderations. The power in the hands of the new executives
\nshould be used for rescuing the most unfortunate people, which
\nmeans releasing the poorest sections of the population from the
\ncurse of poverty and deprivation.<\/p>\n
The new Vice President should be the first to acknowledge this
\nshortcoming in society; he is the best equipped to settle the
\nproblem nationwide.<\/p>\n
Celebrations following their elections to a higher office like
\npresident, vice president, governor and mayor, and the like, is
\njustifiable only if the new executives are genuinely honest and
\ndetermined to work for the greater well-being of other citizens.<\/p>\n
Poverty eradication is the responsibility of all Cabinet
\nmembers, but to single out Vice President Hamzah Haz for the
\nnoble assignment seems reasonable and fair. After all, he has
\nenough valuable experience and wisdom. Now he only needs greater
\npolitical will.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/priorities-of-the-new-govt-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }