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