Super reformist minister<\/p>\n
It strikes like lightning on a bright cloudless day so boldly
\nit is revolutionary, is the suggestion. Under the former
\nrepressive regime such a proposal might only be uttered by a
\ndrunk, or worse, insane person.<\/p>\n
I mean, of course, the idea that this nation gets rid of the
\ninformation ministry to overcome excessive but erratic hurdles
\nand minimize state spending. I am inclined to call the minister
\nof information who suggested the idea in a House debate the other
\nday not just a \"progressive\" but also a \"super reformist\"
\nminister.<\/p>\n
Indeed, in the past the ministry served more as a propaganda
\ntool to comfort the rulers and to mislead the public, on issues
\nsuch as the always low monthly inflation rate, until the truth
\nwas bared during the reform era. Do not forget that only in
\ntotalitarian states are such special ministries maintained.<\/p>\n
In term of cost savings, the minister deserves a warm
\nhandshake for his \"super dream\" which most of the honorable
\npeople's representatives have failed to comprehend, perhaps out
\nof fear of losing their jobs.<\/p>\n
Personally, I hope that he has not yet discarded another
\n\"better\" dream of his -- to rid the ministry of all regulations
\nwhich still stand in the way of a genuine free press -- that he
\nhimself pledged to a group of promising young journalists,
\naccording to my dear friend, the director of Dr. Sutomo Press
\nInstitute, Atmakusumah (The Jakarta Post, June 24).<\/p>\n
I'd like to assure the people's representatives who fear for a
\nfree press not to underestimate the intelligence of the public
\nand their yearning for greater democratic rights, even though
\nthey are ashamed to call themselves \"intellectuals\" belonging to
\nthe \"upper\" class.<\/p>\n
My own super dream is that our leaders in charge of security
\nkeep their public statements relating to nondefense matters to a
\nminimum in order to avoid confusion and avoid the impression of
\nanother military state. After all, the reformists are not against
\nSoeharto as an individual but against his authoritarian,
\nundemocratic and often dictatorial inclinations and his
\noppressive methods.<\/p>\n
Another dream I used to have was that political parties make
\nknown their programs through issuing a political manifesto. I'd
\nonly like to stress that at present the government of this
\npotentially rich country has to borrow money in order to feed its
\npeople.<\/p>\n
How long will people have to wait until they all have enough
\nto eat, enough to earn, to have shelters of their own, to enjoy
\nelectric light and are exempt from paying radio, television and
\nbicycle taxes?<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/super-reformist-minister-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }