Welcome opposition!<\/p>\n
A group of people, consisting mostly of young men and women,
\ndeclared themselves to be the \"opposition\" when they gathered
\nrecently at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. What is laudable
\nis the fact that, at least as far as I know, they did not demand
\nor seek to bring about the fall of the government. Unlike in
\ncountries with a long tradition of democracy, the task of the
\nopposition should be directed more toward correcting the course
\nof the government's policies, especially when it concerns
\ncontentious issues which are food for the opposition.<\/p>\n
This truly democratically elected government under Abdurrahman
\nWahid as president and Megawati Soekarnoputri as vice president,
\nin its three months of existence, has been criticized for its
\nslow performance and lack of coordination among the Cabinet
\nministers. Attorney General Marzuki Darusman has received the
\nbrunt of all criticism in that he has promised much but so far
\nnot delivered anything in combating the big issue of corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism, including the Soeharto and Texmaco cases.<\/p>\n
To my surprise, there is presently hardly any media (radio and
\ntelevision included) commentator, political and economic analyst,
\nwho is not critical of the administration. Could it be that
\nopposition sources have been bribed over by sympathizers of the
\nformer Soeharto regime, including some Golkar supporters, and
\neconomic and political mafias?<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman's trips abroad, originally designed to
\nallay investors' fears, have become headaches for observers, who
\nfear civil strife and even a coup d'etat. The home scene has
\nbecome more confusing with news about a rift between the military
\nleaders and the President. Has the rupiah also slid with the
\nrumors is everybody's question.<\/p>\n
The creation of an opposition group is something to be welcome
\nif its aims are to remain within the democratic confines and do
\nnot seek the fall per se of the administration. Remember, we have
\njust begun to lay the foundation of democratic life and respect
\nof human rights. The leaders have won international confidence to
\nrevitalize the battered economy and restructure its internal and
\nforeign debts. I call on the opposition forces, if they feel
\ndefeated, to realign their forces and have another try in the
\nnext general election. Haven't we committed ourselves to the
\nideals and principles of democracy, not of pseudo-democracy?<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/welcome-opposition-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }