Where is the 'golden bridge'?<\/p>\n
We are nearing the month of August. And older Indonesians, in
\nparticular, will surely be reminded of a nationalistic slogan of
\nthe leaders of the revolutionary period, that national
\nindependence was not the final objective of the people's
\nstruggle. It only served as a "golden bridge" for bringing
\nprosperity to the people who had been exploited by the colonial
\npower for hundreds of years.<\/p>\n
Since the proclamation of independence on Aug. 17, 1945, we
\nhave been experimenting with democracies -- through trial-and-
\nerror methods -- i.e. guided democracy under first president
\nSukarno and the current "reform" democracy in which we have
\ngreater press freedom and human rights that protect the interests
\nof the people, with Abdurrahman Wahid as the national leader.<\/p>\n
However, the catch phrase of the independence movement, the
\n"golden bridge would lead to a just and prosperous society" has
\nlamentably become a myth. A small number of Indonesians have
\nbecome multi-billionaires and can afford everything they dream of
\n-- super-de-lux cars, private palaces etc. On the other hand, the
\ngreater percentage of the population still lives in poverty; not
\nto mention the education sector. Instead of becoming free for
\nall, education has been a luxury for most people. Thus, the
\n"golden bridge" is nowhere to be seen.<\/p>\n
The coming month of August would more appropriately be called
\nthe month of democratic tragedy when a clash between the
\nPresident and the legislative body is not unlikely to take place,
\nsince the People's Consultative Assembly is so determined to
\nconvene a special session that may end up impeaching the
\nPresident and forcing him to resign. It is then feared that a
\ncivil war might break out involving supporters of the President
\nand his opponents.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/where-is-the-golden-bridge-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }