Dialogs with President

Almost every day we read about student demonstrations on campuses all over the country, which is a very positive sign. This shows that the students care about what is happening in their country and are earnestly trying to contribute their opinions and thoughts. In these difficult days, contributions play a very important role. The state is trying to get contributions from all over the country, in the form of dollars, gold and, of course, ways to solve the nation's problems. These intentions should be welcomed and it is wrong when we look at the students activities with suspicion and a priori condemn them.

They are part of the people and the country's welfare is also their concern. As a retired Armed Forces member, I am very proud that the first positive reaction came from the commander of the Armed Forces, who is also the minister of defense and security, who expressed his willingness to listen and have a constructive dialog with the students.

This shows that the Armed Forces dual function is not an expression of power hungry military people. Willingness to have a dialog should come, in my opinion, in the very first place from the minister of youth and sports affairs and not from the Armed Forces.

Students, as our country's future leaders, should know and get familiar with what is going on and thus become prepared for their future role. Indonesia's political history has shown how big a role students can play. I am convinced when handled in the right manner, students can become a very positive and constructive force. Don't get upset and condemn them when they voice different opinions. After all, we are living in a democratic society, where we have freedom of expression.

The students know that what they say is not always right. They also know that other groups or organizations have the same right to have a different opinion and to voice their opinion.

As reported by The Jakarta Post, the minister of youths and sports affairs, Agung Laksono, said in Surabaya: "Basically the President is willing to hold a dialog with all the people, including students. But if the problems to be discussed can already be handled by the President's aides, why should the President engage in more dialogs?"

This statement has its weaknesses. First, he missed the psychological factor. It is different if you face the President rather than a minister or just a director general. Psychology plays a very big role here, especially in Indonesia and also in Eastern communities. Second, if we follow the reasoning of Agung, then the President has nothing to do, if he is busy then it is proof that his aides are incapable. Or if a minister is busy then that is proof that his aides are not capable, etc.

Why does our President always insist on having dialogs with farmers or others when visiting villages? It is because the psychological effect is different. These farmers, who have the chance to come face to face with the President, will keep that memory for life. Golkar's chairman, Harmoko, pointed out in Lembang that the President is no stranger to dialogs because that has been one of his principles and he has often held dialogs with farmers all over the country. So why not with students?

In politics, you cannot apply mathematical standards. What seems impossible in the beginning can be made possible if handled in the right way by the right person or official.

Please remember that we are not members of a Western way of thinking.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta