Agum warns about political disturbances or disintegration
Agum warns about political disturbances or disintegration
JAKARTA (JP): National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas)
Governor Let. Gen. Agum Gumelar says there is a possibility of
political disturbances or national disintegration as a
consequence of the emergence of numerous groups seeking to
further their own interests.
Speaking at a discussion on Indonesia's new political format
here on Friday, the chief of the military think tank said the
nation was at a crossroads of whether to be a great nation or to
remain a conflict-ridden one.
"Following the end of the 32-year New Order era, numerous
political parties have emerged seeking to further their own
interests, seeking political advantage from the reform movement,"
he said.
"A number of people are taking revenge against former
president Soeharto, his family and cronies, while others are
fighting for their own interests, so the mission of this campaign
for reform has become unclear."
Political disorder or even national disintegration could occur
if competition for group interest is allowed to continue, he
said.
"But if all parties leave their own interests behind, stick to
the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila state ideology and fight for
the nation's objectives, Indonesia will become a great nation,"
he said.
He said the emergence of numerous parties fighting for
conflicting interests would make the nation vulnerable to
disintegration.
The discussion, attended by senior journalists, businesspeople
and government officials and non-governmental organizations, was
held in conjunction with the launching of weekly tabloid
Perspektif.
He called on all parties to prioritize national interests.
He said the most urgent agenda, especially for the government,
was to carry out "a reform of mentality".
"Groups should not (be preoccupied with) fear of losing their
own interests and government officials should not fear losing
their positions," he said. "What is important is how they can
work together for the nation."
He called on the public to reflect on the way the two previous
regimes ran the country.
The democratic political system developed by founding
president Sukarno ended with the emergence of sectarian parties,
including the now-banned Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) which
failed in its campaign to change the state ideology, he said.
"Then Soeharto, who condemned Sukarno's leadership, tried to
be loyal to the constitution and Pancasila ... but developed a
political system which was against the principles of democracy,"
he said.
Asked for comment on President B.J. Habibie's transitional
government, he paused before replying: "Let me say a tahajud
(midnight) prayer tonight before answering this question." (rms)