Commitment and unity

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