Change for the better

Change for the better

From Merdeka

Let me first congratulate Prof. B.J. Habibie on his
appointment as president of the Republic of Indonesia, a very
important position in this country, and the leader of 200 million
people made up of diverse racial and tribal groups and various
religions.

In view of the fact that he came into this position by virtue
of Article 8 of the 1945 Constitution and with the assistance of
a student movement (indirectly), the following must be borne in
mind:

1. In this transitional period, elements of corruption, collusion
and nepotism must be removed from all ranks of the Development
and Reform Cabinet. As we know, many government officials'
children ask to be awarded certain projects.

2. Ministers should always coordinate before making a
statement/decision. The previous Cabinet failed to take a lesson
from the Cabinet before it: regarding one subject, for example,
one minister said one thing and another minister said another.

3. Our rich natural resources, say palm oil and spices, must be
properly tapped so that our dependence on foreign aid (which is
nothing but loans) may be gradually abolished.

4. A proposal must immediately be tabled by the House of People's
Representatives/People's Consultative Assembly (DPR/MPR) that
they recall members who fail to heed popular aspirations.

5. All regulations and practices disadvantaging the people, such
as monopolistic practices which benefit only certain groups; the
law on subversion and the revocation of press publication
business license (SIUPP), must be abolished.

6. Transparency must exist in all policies and decisions so that
it can be assessed whether they are fit for implementation.

7. The honorable House of Representatives must also be consulted
in decision-making concerning the interests of the people at
large.

The list goes on long because there are many other things that
must be borne in mind. There has been too much rottenness all
these years and I, like other laymen, can only feel apathy in the
face of rotten practices.

ANDRI HARDIANDI

Jakarta