Clean government needed

Clean government needed

We must not forget that the establishment of a clean
government with authority is not only a present necessity, it
would also constitute an account, given by the New Order to the
Indonesian people. It would be difficult for people to imagine
this nation going into a new era, led by a government that is not
clean and lacks authority.

A government that isn't clean will have a hard time
maintaining its authority. Without authority, a government would
be compelled to establish a structure of power to ensure that the
government mechanism will be able to function optimally, and this
will cause it to digress from the principles contained in the
constitution. Digression from the constitution would mean that
whatever is stipulated by the Broad Outlines of State Policy is
no more than empty rhetoric and political window dressing.

This is why it is surprising so many objections were raised
against the proposed construction of the necessary hardware and
software to curb corruption and the leaking of development funds.
In any other country that professes to be democratic and open,
the requirement for government officials to declare their own and
their family's wealth, both before and after their tenures, is
considered normal. In Indonesia, on the other hand, high-ranking
officials are reacting to such proposed legislation with dismay.

We all have an interest in being able to breathe clean air --
air that reflects the prevalence of stability in every sector of
our lives, and this is possible only if a sound, clean and
authoritative government exists.

-- Merdeka, Jakarta