Another trip?

In defiance of House of Representatives' warnings about his excessive overseas travel, and hot on the heels of the public outrage over the plans of the members of the People's Consultative Assembly to further deplete the public treasury by their overseas trip, the President has announced another presidential tour. This particular trip will coincide with the next attempt to begin the Soeharto trial, when the country can expect further unrest and maybe even another bombing attempt.

It takes place as the government is attempting to convince the United Nations, the world and the Indonesian people that it is serious about facing its problems. While people wait for the President to show a sense of crisis in handling problems, he instead has displayed a state of panic.

The issuance of an unfounded order to "Get Tommy" followed by the impetuous firing of a police chief who had the good sense not to execute this questionable order: these were acts of panic. They further erode confidence that the President is in command of himself and the country.

Is this trip really in the best interests of the country? At this lowest point of public and international confidence in his ability to govern, the President has decided to take a hike. Ignoring domestic perils, he calls for Garuda One to take him away from the mess he faces at home. He expends his limited energy in the tasks of an envoy rather than with the priorities of a president. Who is reading the daily papers and international news journals to the President, letting him know just how bad things are throughout the country and how many questions are being asked about his capability to govern? Is anyone?

DONNA K. WOODWARD

Medan, North Sumatra