Debates despite people's suffering

Debates despite people's suffering

From Pikiran Rakyat

Demands for total reform continue to resound throughout the country, from students to those who profess to be reformists. Now that B.J. Habibie has taken the place of Soeharto as president, debates go on about whether the handover was constitutional.

There are people who want a general election as soon as possible. One of them is Emil Salim, who is ironically an economist. A general election needs huge financing!

I think that at the present time we had better find ways to alleviate the suffering of the people who are moribund because of high inflation. People should refrain from holding hot debates on rules of the game which are not understood by the people.

There are so many economists in Indonesia. If they unite to solve the problems of the little people, these people would be very grateful.

An expert in economics should not consider a general election (not that it is not important), but for the moment I think the most important thing is to first normalize all of the little people's economy.

If concrete proof is needed, just ask the little people what they want most now. They do not care who the leader is. They need a certain measure of welfare.

I appeal to students to voice again the demands for a reduction of the prices of staple foods. The students have seemingly forgotten the objective of unburdening the people from their biggest suffering.

ARIS HADIANA

Bandung, West Java