A critical moment for democracy

A critical moment for democracy

President Abdurrahman Wahid has issued an order to
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to take the necessary measures to
prevent anarchy. However, Abdurrahman has failed to condemn the
acts of violence committed by his supporters. He hasn't even
appealed to his supporters in East Java to stop the violence
against other people and public facilities.

If Abdurrahman isn't moved on hearing that school children in
East Java cannot take their final exams because their schools
have been destroyed by mobs, it is proper to ask ourselves what
has become of his commitment to humanism.

If Abdurrahman cannot stop the violence in East Java -- which
is even threatening to spread to Jakarta -- we must be ready to
say goodbye to democracy and freedom. The result of the survey
which was conducted by Metro TV last (Tuesday) night was both
surprising and frightening. It turned out that the majority of
the people who had continuously been living under the terror of
violence yearned for the return of the military to their daily
lives.

If the military must keep guard over our security and freedom
at cigarette stalls, if they must be entrusted to maintain
stability on our toll roads, if the military must once again
teach us about democracy, then democracy is dead. And we have
reason to mourn that fact because the person who invited the
military back to our political stage is the very man who makes
claim to be a true democrat -- Abdurrahman.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta