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