Commitment and unity

As an observer of Indonesia it would seem to me that the country wastes and totally underestimates the strength and value of its largest resource: its people. At this moment in time, the stated number of unemployed in this country is close to 40 million, and that is not far short of a national disaster. The figure may not be 100 percent accurate, nevertheless, an inevitable offshoot of unemployment will be civil unrest, and that most certainly is undesirable.

There are many other unwanted consequences that stand from idle hands, all of which are a burden on government and on society. That said, two major reasons for massive unemployment are corruption and a judiciary system that offers no guarantees whatsoever to investors, or justice to the people of this country.

President Megawati fails to use Indonesia's human resources, despite the fact that she firmly believes in nationalism and the unity of the state. Maybe it is time for Megawati to adopt a different approach to the ongoing and never-ending economic troubles of this country, by directly asking the public for some help.

People are saying that Megawati is no better than former president Abdurrahman Wahid. There is certainly some evidence that would make people think that way. No matter the job, people are judged on their performance, and their performance of late has not been good. The ordinary Indonesian is not privileged enough to know what goes on behind the scenes, so maybe it is too late for Megawati. Maybe she is already in the hands of others, who only see national unity as a means of maintaining power, rather than creating a country that prospers for its people, by its people and with its people.

Will Megawati go down in history as just another president of no great distinction, or does she really want to rise above all the rhetoric and hypocrisy of the present system and live up to the earlier years of her father's dream? If I was Megawati, I would go to the people, as the vast majority want the same as what she wants -- so all she has to do is talk, and have the courage to do it.

DAVID WALLIS

Medan, North Sumatra