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