A nation in transition

A nation in transition

Aside from toward the parties competing in the general
election, our attention has been focused on the government.

The government plays a central role in the management of our
political life and has control over every function in the general
election process, up to the allotment of funds.

Evidently, Golkar benefits from the government's strong
position, while the opposite is true for the PPP (United
Development Party) and PDI (Indonesian Democratic Party).

The names of many candidates put forward by the parties for
the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative
Assembly were dropped during an unavoidable government selection
process.

Any hoped-for advancement in the quality of our general
elections must be seen in the overall context of our political
life.

Our Constitution assigns an extremely important function and
role to the House of Representatives and the People's
Consultative Assembly. The challenge that we still face is make
that function and role into a reality.

A lengthy process lies before us.

As a growing nation, we have some unique designs in our
political order, such as the Armed Forces' position and the
dominant role of the government.

All this, however, must be seen as a transition process.

Our national covenant to implement our 1945 Constitution
without alterations and in a consistent manner must be the beacon
that directs us in our efforts to bring about reform and
improvement.

It is in this context that we speak about the need for
democratization.

And it is with reference to the 1945 Constitution that we talk
about equality before the law, respect for the rights of citizens
and the principles of justice that must be upheld.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta