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