Demonstration of democracy
Demonstration of democracy
On Oct. 8, 1999, President B.J. Habibie displayed democracy
for a gathering of media representatives. The event was covered
by TVRI and was seen and heard throughout Indonesia. Habibie
repeatedly said, "The president of this country is very powerful,
but I do not want to use that power to ...(harm) democracy. We
must establish the supremacy of law."
What about Habibie's track record? When he was given mandate
XI/1998 by the People's Consultative Assembly to solve cases of
collusion, corruption and nepotism according to the law,
including the case of former president Soeharto, he put in
practice the supremacy of law. He did not want to use the power
given him by the people for the sake of public interest, but for
the sake of the supremacy of law.
On the other hand, he dared to use a power that was (actually)
not his by giving East Timor the option of independence, going
against Assembly decree No. VI/1978. The result of this has been
very painful to the nation, including prointegration East
Timorese. They are Indonesian citizens who Habibie did not
consider.
His track record is inconsistent. Where he should use his
power for public interest, he does not do it. On the other hand,
where he has no authority he uses his presidential power to make
a decision that is detrimental to the nation. I think the people
should be grateful for the recent demonstration of democracy as a
part of their continuing political education; although part of
that education sometimes contains examples of what not to do.
ROCH BASOEKI MANGOENPOEROJO
Jakarta
On Oct. 8, 1999, President B.J. Habibie displayed democracy
for a gathering of media representatives. The event was covered
by TVRI and was seen and heard throughout Indonesia. Habibie
repeatedly said, "The president of this country is very powerful,
but I do not want to use that power to ...(harm) democracy. We
must establish the supremacy of law."
What about Habibie's track record? When he was given mandate
XI/1998 by the People's Consultative Assembly to solve cases of
collusion, corruption and nepotism according to the law,
including the case of former president Soeharto, he put in
practice the supremacy of law. He did not want to use the power
given him by the people for the sake of public interest, but for
the sake of the supremacy of law.
On the other hand, he dared to use a power that was (actually)
not his by giving East Timor the option of independence, going
against Assembly decree No. VI/1978. The result of this has been
very painful to the nation, including prointegration East
Timorese. They are Indonesian citizens who Habibie did not
consider.
His track record is inconsistent. Where he should use his
power for public interest, he does not do it. On the other hand,
where he has no authority he uses his presidential power to make
a decision that is detrimental to the nation. I think the people
should be grateful for the recent demonstration of democracy as a
part of their continuing political education; although part of
that education sometimes contains examples of what not to do.
ROCH BASOEKI MANGOENPOEROJO
Jakarta