A nation crying

A nation crying

From Rakyat Merdeka

In the June 5 issue of Rakyat Merdeka, there was a very interesting article and photo depicting Bung Karno crying. But I think, not only is Bung Karno crying but the entire Indonesian nation and state. Why? Because the 1999 general election which was touted as the most successful and democratic one to date has resulted in a mess of a government which faces a formidable future. We have an incompetent President and enigmatic Vice President.

The 1999 general election hasn't yielded leaders capable of overcoming problems but ambitious "leaders" who are the loudspeakers of their political parties. The National Awakening Party (PKB) has become the President's fractured spokesperson and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) the Vice President's mouthpiece. We are startled by the Cabinet reshuffle which has again ignored the people's conscience. The President and his supporters act indiscriminately as if this state belonged to their forefathers and they can do anything at will.

So, not only is Bung Karno crying, but it is Indonesia that is crying because it is being led by an incompetent leader. There was a competent figure recognized as having eloquent ideas and thinking, but he was just discarded by the President. I cannot understand President Wahid's way of thinking and why he dismissed a figure like Pak Yudhoyono. Is Pak Yudhoyono just like other ministers who can be ordered to punch their political opponents?

Therefore, let all of us cry so that God Almighty soon helps this nation.

ALBERTUS SUSANTO

Jakarta