An uneasy year ahead

An uneasy year ahead

The year ahead has the potential for unrest. A number of
important events this year -- especially the general elections --
will shape the future of the nation. Of no less importance is the
fact that global developments in our shrinking world create the
possibility of our country being affected by situations in our
neighboring ASEAN countries or elsewhere. For these reasons the
President's reminder that we face the coming year in a spirit of
unity is of great importance.

We feel justified in being concerned with the recent spate of
disturbances that have brought forth issues and led to incidents
based on ethnic, religious or racial differences. To cite the
words of Gen. (ret.) Soemitro, these incidents could be
detrimental to the future generation of Indonesians. After 50
years of independence, we still have not managed to overcome some
basic problems.

It is essential that we reflect and take a first step towards
realizing a national life that is based on the constitution and
the noble principles of our national Pancasila ideology.

-- Kompas, Jakarta