Statement of concern<\/p>\n
Under the leadership of Gus Dur (Abdurrachman Wahid), Let.
\nGen. (ret.) Bambang Triantoro, Let. Gen.(ret.) Kharis Suhud,
\nFrans Seda, Matori Abdul Djalil, and other prominent figures, a
\nstatement of concern has been issued which has been forwarded to
\nthe Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly\/House of
\nRepresentatives. Anybody in support of its contents and aim was
\nencouraged to sign the statement. I don't understand, however,
\nhow signatures from all over Indonesia were collected. Obviously
\nnot all could come to Jakarta to put his\/her signature to the
\ndocument. I would like Gus Dur to explain.<\/p>\n
On the whole the statement of concern contains three main
\nideas:<\/p>\n
1. The unity of Indonesia. The authors of the statement
\ncontend that the nation is drifting away from the national
\narchipelagic concept.<\/p>\n
2. The principles of Pancasila democracy and the provisions of
\nthe 1945 Constitution are being increasingly ignored, in
\nparticular with regard to the concept that sovereignty rests with
\nthe people. It is obvious that so far i.e. during the New Order
\ngovernment Pancasila has not been completely implemented in the
\npractical life. The principle of a society based on the rule of
\nlaw is still ignored by many, and power and violence still often
\ntake precedence over other means of seeking solutions to
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
3. The lack of humanitarian values befitting a free people,
\nrelating to the general welfare of society. Politics, business,
\nlaw and security are felt not to serve the interest of the people
\nas a whole, but rather to benefit a certain group who dominate
\npolitics and business. Even the government itself often violates
\nthe law and regulations. This is reflected in the fact that the
\nPresidential Instructions and Decrees are used more often than
\nthe provisions of the law. Those laws that have already been
\npassed by the House of Representatives (DPR) are not free of
\nflaws. Human rights are frequently violated. Corruption is still
\nendemic.<\/p>\n
I was born before 1945, and thus experienced the ups and downs
\nof the revolution during Indonesia's struggle for independence,
\nthe Trikora movement which included the freeing of West Irian
\n(Irian Jaya), the annihilation of the Indonesian communists (PKI)
\nand now the New Order with its development. I feel real concern
\nover the present condition of our country. The bureaucrats,
\npoliticians, economists, and military men belong mostly to the
\npost-1945 generation. How could they act so arbitrarily. The
\nrepresentatives of the people (MPR\/DPR) do not fulfill their
\nfunction properly, and are too afraid to voice people's
\naspirations and defend them. And the Supreme Court and other
\njudiciary bodies have become places where the law is bought and
\nsold. There is no such thing as press freedom. Even personal
\nletters are censored. Where is Indonesia heading?<\/p>\n
Let us give our support to the statement of concern, because
\nit reflects the people's conscience and is a warning to the
\npower-holders to return to the path of the ideals of our Aug. 17,
\n1945 proclamation.<\/p>\n
SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/statement-of-concern-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }