The magnificent five<\/p>\n
According to the government's agenda, its time spans from the
\non-going Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) to the MPR General Session in December 1999. In between, is
\nthe general election milestone, to be held in May 1999, which
\ncuts this time span in two, making each half a period of about
\nsix months.<\/p>\n
Having seen the government's achievements in reform during the
\nsix-month period from May 21, 1998, to today, it is questionable
\nwhether the government, without substantial change to its agenda,
\ncould achieve better results in the coming two 6-month periods.<\/p>\n
Compared to the just-past six-month period, a more tense
\nsituation could arise in the next two periods. For example, a
\nsettlement of the Indonesian Democratic Party's name, and the
\nlegitimacy process of new parties might consume unpredictable
\namounts of time. Moreover, a coalition process of parties having
\nsimilar platforms, and the campaign period for so many parties
\nwould be completely new issues; not knowing yet as to how this
\nwould take form, where and at what time.<\/p>\n
Now, we have all just learned that without a doubt,
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, Amien Rais, Hamengkubuwono X and Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri are the most publicly accepted figures among
\nreformists. They have shown leadership and consistency in
\nrepresenting most of the people's aspirations. Regardless of
\ntheir individual interest to run for president, in my belief,
\nthey are all of a mature readiness to compete democratically.<\/p>\n
While there has been no clear plan made public concerning the
\ncurrent vice presidency vacancy, it is my understanding that, as
\na structural position of either a state or an organization -- as
\nlong as it is legally administered -- it shall not be left empty.
\nI think, it is a position universally accepted to function as a
\nbackup system in response to nature or an act of God, unless we
\nare in such an emergency situation and under national consensus
\nto live temporarily with a second-level substitute.<\/p>\n
As this is a constitutional requirement, it should not be
\nsubject to preference, as by a people or a regime who, once upon
\na time, got a chance to run the system.<\/p>\n
Compiling all the above, in the spirit of total reform and
\nfrom the idea to effectively and efficiently utilizing resources
\nand constraints mentioned above, and to save the people's time,
\nmoney, energy, lives and national unity, I would humbly like to
\nappeal to those who are presently in positions to make or break
\nthe country to think on the \"Plan B\" contingency below:<\/p>\n
1. The MPR to install the four reformists mentioned above as co-
\nvice presidents.<\/p>\n
2. Extend the MPR Special Session to accommodate the arrangement
\nabove.<\/p>\n
Of course, absolutely all associated details must be worked
\nout properly during the required extended session. In return,
\nimplementation of the plan would present the most powerful
\nsynergy from all Indonesians, both inside and outside the system,
\nin the form of presidential team comprising B.J. Habibie as
\npresident with Abdurrahman Wahid, Amien Rais, Hamengkubuwono X
\nand Megawati Soekarnoputri in the vice president team.<\/p>\n
I believe that this team of magnificent five would be of the
\nright capacity to lead the nation to peacefully track the agenda
\nin full confidence, counting down the days toward a successful
\ngeneral election in May 1999, and MPR General Session in December
\n1999.<\/p>\n
ATTILA RAHAYOE<\/p>\n
Bekasi, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-magnificent-five-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }