Changes at the top

Surprise is what best describes many people's reaction to recent changes in the cabinet and Armed Forces. No one had ever dared to speculate that Harmoko would end his tenure as Minister of Information mid-term, with only 11 months left for the present Sixth Development Cabinet to complete its mission. The astonishment is all the more justified since Harmoko, in sensational style, has just led Golkar to a landslide general election win.

One possibility now is that -- as many observers expect -- Harmoko will be elected chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives. As for Harmoko's successor, Hartono, a task that is in every sense as heavy as the one he is leaving awaits him.

Although a true soldier, Hartono's experience in dealing with all kinds of situations is extensive. His career includes serving as Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs, Governor of the National Defense Institute, chief of the Armed Forces' staff and command school and Army chief of staff.

Hartono has had much contact with intellectuals and with the public. This is important, as we are at the present moving toward an era of openness and dialog. Only in an atmosphere of openness and dialog is it possible for the spirit of democracy to blossom.

-- Republika, Jakarta