Can a decree solve problems?
Can a decree solve problems?
From Media Indonesia
In a recent afternoon news report aired by a private
television station, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri
apparently had rejected President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid
threat of issuing a decree to declare a state of emergency. This
was confirmed when she received the Forum of Communications of
Retired Members of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National
Police led by Lt. Gen. (ret.) Saiful Sulun in the vice
presidential palace.
It was quite an interesting report as in a month's time the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will be convening a special
session. One of the items on the agenda of the upcoming special
session is President Abdurrahman's accountability report. Rumors
about the above decree made their rounds again following
President Abdurrahman's statements during his recent visit to
Australia and New Zealand.
As citizens, we are sad to witness the lack of cohesion in our
government. We are even sadder to see that there is conflict
between the executive and the legislative bodies. There is no
sign that this protracted conflict will be settled amicably. Who
are the victims of this ongoing conflict? None other than
ordinary people, who generally know nothing about politics.
Just imagine how bad the situation is for ordinary people. A
controversial statement made by a leader can cause a sharp drop
in the exchange rate of the rupiah against the U.S dollar. In
general, the people are waiting to see an end to this ongoing
multidimensional crisis.
We agree with and support Pak Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who,
while still chief coordinating minister for political, social and
security affairs, disagreed with the issuance of a decree to
declare a state of emergency.
We believe Pak Susilo is a smart broad-minded man, and that he
places the unity of the state and the nation before anything
else. Isn't it ironical that the political elite are still freely
going abroad when there is a need to declare a state of
emergency? Obviously, the nation is not in a state of emergency.
Such as decree can only be issued if there is chaos.
In the special session, the President will be evaluated by the
Assembly, which is the country's highest legislative body and one
that gave Gus Dur the mandate as president. We hope all parties
will be magnanimous enough to accept the political reality in
relation to the special session. Without peace and respect for
the political process, it will be impossible to resolve the
nation's problems.
SUTARNI
Jakarta