Challenges facing the new govt

Challenges facing the new govt

From Koran Tempo

The new government under President Megawati Soekarnoputri will have to work toward important objectives not yet achieved during the administration of former president Abdurrahman Wahid. These include economic recovery, poverty eradication, lowering of the high rate of unemployment and avoiding national disintegration.

Above all, the most pressing problem facing this nation is enforcement of the supremacy of the law and the eradication of corruption. These are the two things that the Cabinet that Megawati will establish must show it is seriously committed to deal with, and as a matter of priority.

It is undeniable that the ugly situation the Indonesian people have been thrown into -- instability in political, economic and social matters, is the legacy of the rotten and corrupt New Order regime.

Obviously, in this respect there are some challenges that must be met. The first is how President Mega can take appropriate measures to eradicate corruption thoroughly and indiscriminately, involving even the circles closest to her.

Second, Mega's Cabinet must be able to integrate people's social rights and sense of justice proportionally and consistently so that the present categorization of society into upper, medium and lower classes can be avoided.

Third, Mega's administration must be able to take proper steps to deal with the adverse impacts caused by economic development or human settlement, such as forest damage, coastal abrasion, polluted air quality and the contamination of water and land.

Fourth, to make efforts to improve the quality of national education, given the fact that in terms of education we are way behind other countries. It is obvious that at present only the rich can enjoy good education. People of the medium to lower social class can only act as good onlookers and the "objects" of development.

Fifth, to reposition the Indonesian people as the real subject of development.

Finally, President Mega must be able to set up clean government institutions manned by credible, professional, independent and morally good people with high integrity.

In this way, it is expected that the agenda of a total reform may be achieved, or that, at least, the people can witness the government's seriousness in laying a strong foundation and establishing adequate instruments for the future.

DIDIEN SHOLEHUDDIEN

Jakarta