What do the panelists have to say about 2002<\/p>\n
Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, lawyer, chairman of the
\nInstitute for Public Study and Advocacy Foundation: \"I'm
\nconcerned about the government's plan to introduce an
\nantiterrorism bill. Here is a bill that is so repressive that it
\nwould annul existing legislation that guarantees our democratic
\nrights.\"<\/p>\n
Antonius Sujata, former government prosecutor, now chairman of
\nthe National Ombudsman Commission: \"Even if we can agree that we
\nneed to reform the system, where do we start? Should we start
\nwith the legal instruments or the institutions? I think we need
\nto start with the judiciary, that is with the Supreme Court.\"<\/p>\n
Azyumardi Azra, Muslim thinker, lecturer at Syarif Hidayatulah
\nState Academy of Islamic Studies (IAIN) Jakarta: \"The portrait of
\nIndonesia is quite gloomy, but it is not entirely without hope.
\nWe need to accelerate the current reformation process,
\nparticularly in three areas: constitutional reforms,
\ninstitutional reforms and cultural reforms.\"<\/p>\n
Benny Pasaribu, economist, member of the House of
\nRepresentatives for PDI Perjuangan: \"First and foremost, we need
\nto maintain this nation's cohesion without politicizing every
\nconflict or difference. We need to build a tradition of respect;
\nrespect for differences, respect for each other.\"<\/p>\n
Gilbert Wiryadinata: businessman and vice chairman of
\nIndonesian Chinese Association (INTI): \"When we talk about
\ncultural reforms, we must also inculcate patriotic sentiments in
\npeople. If we ourselves do not care for Indonesia, then who else
\nwould care for us. It is really up to us. I really feel a strong
\nsense of nationalism is crucial.\"<\/p>\n
Ignas Kleden, sociologist, lecturer and executive director of
\nthe Go-East Institute: \"Political democratization is one thing,
\ndemocratic culture is another. You want to fight for political
\ndemocratization, by all means go ahead, but don't expect that the
\nnewfound freedom would automatically lead to greater cultural
\ncreativity.\"<\/p>\n
Mochtar Pabottingi: political scientist, researcher at
\nNational Institute of Sciences (LIPI): \"We need to start with
\nconstitutional reforms because they are at the apex in the
\nhierarchy of all laws. I think we need to form a constitutional
\ncommission, and I fully concur with the opinion that we need to
\ndo some cleaning up in the judiciary and promote good
\ngovernance.\"<\/p>\n
Mohamad Sobary, writer, columnist and chairman of the Antara
\nnational news agency: \"The reform agenda has rarely touched
\ncultural reformation. We need to redefine our 'Indonesianess',
\nsomething that will define our attitude, spirit, way of thinking,
\ncultural orientation, character and behavior that in turn would
\nsupport our coexistence as one nation.\"<\/p>\n
Mubyarto, economics professor at Gadjah Mada University and
\nformer advisor to the chief economics minister: \"I strongly
\nbelieve in the resilience of the people's economy in spite of
\nwhat other people say. Sure, this sector has its problems, but we
\nshould focus on the positive aspects. If only we took the trouble
\nto study its strengths.\"<\/p>\n
M. Chatib Basri, associate director of the Institute of
\nEconomics and Social Research at the University of Indonesia: \"I
\ndon't want to be too pessimistic. I think the best-case scenario
\nis for us to muddle through 2002. Under the present
\ncircumstances, we have to set our priorities. We need first
\ninstitutional reform, and economic and political reform will
\nfollow.\"<\/p>\n
Pande Radja Silalahi, economist at the Centre for Strategic
\nand International Studies (CSIS): \"As a nation, we seem to be at
\na complete loss, without any bargaining power. The problems
\nfacing the Republic are not insolvable. We do have bargaining
\npower. We need to grab our chances. That's what reform is all
\nabout. People tend to forget about our own strength and lose
\ntheir self-respect.\"<\/p>\n
Rustriningsih, PDI Perjuangan politician, regent of Kebumen
\n(Central Java): \"I'm very very optimistic that reforms will bring
\npeople to a higher level of prosperity. For this to happen, we
\nneed support from everyone. From my experience, we need to trust
\nthe people more to do what they think is right. We need to
\nempower them more.\"<\/p>\n
Smita Notosusanto, executive director of the Centre for
\nElectoral Reforms (CETRO): When we talk about reform, we have to
\nlook at the system in its entirety. The system is the structure
\nand the Constitution is the legal foundation for our house.
\nWithout a system that builds true representation and
\naccountability, we cannot have a legitimate government.<\/p>\n
Soedjati Djiwandono, political columnist, analyst at the
\nResearch Institute for Democracy and Peace (RIDeP): All things
\nconsidered, we are really fighting against injustices ... If some
\nregions are asking for a separate state or for more autonomy,
\nthis is really a reflection of their struggle for justice.<\/p>",
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