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