Year-end hopes and doubts<\/p>\n
As the old year moves towards a close, Indonesia can look
\ntoward the new with a measure of hope and optimism, although it
\ncontinues to face a mountain of hurdles and challenges that is
\ndaunting, to say the least. On the plus side, peace and order
\nhave been restored -- to a considerable extent, at least, and for
\nnow -- in Maluku, as well as in Poso, Central Sulawesi, and other
\nareas that have in the past few years been torn by sectarian
\nconflict.<\/p>\n
This is an accomplishment that should not be underestimated,
\ngiven that too many parties are suspected of having an interest,
\novert or otherwise, in keeping these local conflicts alive. Proof
\nof this can be found in the fact that police authorities in South
\nSulawesi made no bones about their suspicion that some of the
\nperpetrators in the Makassar bombing incident earlier this month
\nwere also involved in the Poso conflict. A strong indication in
\nthis direction, officers said, was that the bombers had aimed
\ntheir destructive work at businesses owned by Coordinating
\nMinister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla, who brokered the peace
\ndeal in Poso as well as in Maluku.<\/p>\n
A major accomplishment was the closing of a comprehensive
\npeace deal for Aceh with the help of the Swiss-based Henry Dunant
\nCentre (HDC). It is hoped that the presence of an independent
\nbody of international observers to monitor observance of the deal
\nby both sides will help to bring finally a lasting peace to this
\nnorthernmost territory of Indonesia that has been torn by armed
\nconflict between government forces and groups fighting for
\nindependence for more than 26 years. Even so, 28 armed incidents
\ninvolving both sides were recorded up to 10 days after the
\nsigning of the deal on Dec.9 and at least two Army soldiers were
\nkilled, illustrating the difficulties that may lie ahead.<\/p>\n
Some progress was also made in the past year in the field of
\neconomic recovery. The rupiah has more or less stabilized at
\naround Rp 9,000 to the U.S. dollar, and some signs of recovery
\nhave been visible in the real sector. Nevertheless, the
\nshortcomings remain intimidating -- a situation that is
\naggravated by the lack of security, weak law enforcement and
\nlabor unrest. Needless to say, the horrendous bombing on Oct. 12
\nin Bali has not helped to improve the condition. The advisories
\nissued by several governments abroad for their citizens to avoid
\ntraveling to Bali, or Indonesia altogether, have affected not
\nonly Bali, but other areas as well, especially those relying on
\ntourist dollars for their income.<\/p>\n
Rampant corruption remains another irritating problem that
\ncontinues to undermine the government's prestige. Other issues
\nthat continue to be of concern in the past year are the apparent
\nlack of government determination to resolve old human rights
\nproblems and the slow speed at which the process of democratic
\nreform is proceeding -- if, indeed it is taking place at all.
\nPresumably, the reason here is that the major political parties
\nthat dominate the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) have their eyes fixed on winning the
\n2004 general election -- seemingly at the cost of democratic
\nreform.<\/p>\n
All in all, problems still abound in the nation's balance for
\nthe year that is coming to a close. Nevertheless, there is room
\nfor hope. Even the most horrific event that occurred this year,
\nthe Bali bombing, has brought some good for this country and for
\nthe nation. For one thing, it has forced the development of the
\nNational Police into a really professional force that is capable
\nof protecting the public. For another, it has awakened the nation
\nfrom its complacency into a realization that terrorist cells do
\nexist in this country.<\/p>\n
To abandon our complacency and admit the presence of a
\nfrightening reality is at least a good beginning.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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