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