What's going on?<\/p>\n
Even without the outbreaks of violence, developments in
\nIndonesia have received vivid interest from the media and the
\nAustralian public. They seem to be as confused as the Indonesians
\nliving here. They could not believe that the Indonesian National
\nPolice chief could summon the President of the country to appear
\non the witness stand of a criminal or civil court while the
\nPresident himself is the head of the National Police.<\/p>\n
Many here see the President as contributing to the confusion
\nand problems faced by Indonesia today. Why should President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, spend two months of his seven or
\neight months in office traveling overseas while the country is in
\nturmoil? Suwondo, the wizard of a masseur who can disappear into
\nthin air with his stolen money, remains fresh in the minds of
\nevery Australian interested in Indonesian affairs.<\/p>\n
As I am preparing to return home, a writer at an Australian
\ndaily has revealed that the President's health has worsened in
\nthe last three months. He used to fall asleep more during
\nimportant meetings.<\/p>\n
In a sense, the announcement made by the President putting the
\nriot-torn province of Maluku under a state of civil emergency has
\nbeen seen as an encouraging development, although perhaps too
\nlate to be really effective. But why not a military state of
\nemergency, as the situation calls for urgent and drastic
\nmeasures, not just half-measures.<\/p>\n
There have been suggestions by certain quarters in the
\nprovince, mostly Christians, to place Maluku under United Nations
\nsupervision with the forces of the United States taking part.<\/p>\n
It is shameful that a country with such a lofty ideology and
\nsupposed way of living under its Constitution has tragically
\nfailed to live up to the expectations of the civilized world.<\/p>\n
The smallest disturbance, riot or even an act of vandalism is
\nimmediately reported by the world press. The impression received
\nby capital investors is, regretfully, still of a chaotic and
\nuntrustworthy Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, I even doubt if prayer is enough to change the
\nsituation, if nothing else and nobody else succeeds.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Perth, Australia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/whats-going-on-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }