A presidium

A presidium

From Rakyat Merdeka

I am writing in response to a Sept. 6 interview in Rakyat
Merdeka with Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, former Golkar secretary-
general and now a prominent figure of the movement for justice
and unity in the nation. He advocates the necessity of a
presidium to replace B.J. Habibie's government. His proposal is
an effective solution to the present situation. The state has
shown itself incapable of carrying out its day-to-day tasks as a
transitional government. It is unable to ensure security of the
people, in East Timor, Aceh and Ambon, to name a few. It is even
incapable of taking steps against rioters and instigators. There
is no change in the state of corrupt practices. Collusion,
corruption and nepotism have burgeoned beyond the irregular
practices of the New Order regime. Foreign debt has doubled.

What concrete steps are being taken by the government in the
Bank Bali case? How to respond to protests against the UN Mission
in East Timor's dishonest practices in the East Timor referendum?

In consideration of the situation, are the transitional
government's political morals adequate for it to remain in power?
Sarwono hits the nail on the head by proposing that the big
political parties, winners of the general election, form a
presidium led by Megawati to act as a provisional government in
lieu of B.J. Habibie's government. The presidium can be supported
by the "Mildewed Steel Helmets", i.e. by mobilizing retired Army
members or senior Army men with a high fighting spirit who follow
closely the nation's political developments. They are still
active in institutes which have the nation's struggle at heart,
groups like Japeta, DHN 45, Pepabri, PKBPPK, Pasca 45, etc.

The support of this group is important and decisive because
these senior people will impose on the active military to join in
the support. It would not have been possible for the student
demonstrators in May 1998 to enter the MPR-DPR building had there
been no military leaders who condoned a breakthrough. In November
1998 during a Special Session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR), hundreds of thousands of students were crawling
along in an attempt to enter the Senayan area, but they only met
with congestion on Semanggi (clover-leaf overpass).

Our political parties are only a few months old. There is, as
yet, no compact solidarity. A great number of problems, however,
are awaiting their participation. The people are waiting too.

OERIP HARTONO

Jakarta