Conceited bureaucrats

Conceited bureaucrats

One of the keys to President Soeharto's success in leading
this nation was revealed when he received 90 officers studying at
the Armed Forces Staff and Command School, on Sunday, December
24, on his Tapos ranch in Bogor.

Speaking about his experiences during the early days of his
tenure as president of this Republic, Pak Harto said he often
held discussions with experts in the fields of economics and
politics because at that time his knowledge of such problems was
limited.

For that reason the President reminded both civilian and
military officials not to be arrogant when facing problems
affecting society, particularly when they lacked knowledge.

In periods of transition such as the one the Indonesian nation
is going through at present, when the value system is still in
the process of finding a format which fits the community's new
level of intellect, those who act with conceit may still be able
to find a place in society. Like in a river during a flood, the
scum will tend to drift at the surface. However, as soon as the
flood is over, the solid rocks will emerge.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta