A number of 'too lates'

A number of 'too lates'

Relying mainly on my intuition and common sense (intellectual
analysts may arrive at different conclusions based on their
expertise, party loyalty, or political instincts), I have here
some "too lates" which are detrimental to the nation's interests
in the short and long-term.

First of all, it is too late now to convict former president
Soeharto as he has been declared unfit for trial. He is also no
longer in the news. It is also too late to apprehend Tommy
Soeharto. The fact that Tommy could hide undetected for so long
is a big shame for the authorities.

For President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid it is also too late
to withdraw from the Bulog scam now that Rusdihardjo has made
some serious allegations.

In a sense I agree with Amien Rais that it may be too late,
too, to keep the rebellious province in the north (Aceh) within
the republic. Too much blood has been shed, too many empty
promises have been made. The Acehnese may only be able to bury
their mistrust of the government if their cry for freedom is met.

Also my senses say it is too late for the province in the
shape of a bird's head, in the eastern most part of the country
(West Irian) -- the Dutch called it Vogelkop -- to reconcile with
the rest of Indonesia. There have been too many inconsistencies
in the government's policies.

Please remember that the Dutch have allowed the people of the
province of Friesland to have their own provincial flag flown
from any pole or building, or printed on any object. Have you not
noticed the Friesian flag (Frische Vlag) on the canned milk
produced and exported by the Dutch?

The best way seems to me is to allow the people of the
province of West Irian to fly their own Bintang Kejora (Morning
Star) flag, provided they recognize the national red-and-white
flag and have it hoisted above their own. It would look
admittedly odd but they would not be satisfied with anything
less.

It is very saddening to realize that it is also too late to
change the corrupt mentality of most Indonesian leaders and
business people as long as they are greedy, dishonest and want to
get rich quickly by stealing.

Also I reckon it is too late for ASEAN to act cohesively after
President Abdurrahman Wahid's tirade on Singapore.

Fortunately, it is not too late to bring jobs to more people,
health and education to more families, and food and medicine to
the hungry and sick. But it may take two or three generations to
get rid of this corrupt mentality and immorality of the present
generation.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta