Discard political

Discard political party' ties

From Sinar Pagi

The problems our country faced yesterday and the current problems keep piling up. To make matters worse, new problems keep cropping up. Finding solutions requires coordinated teamwork by the Cabinet with each member having the same vision and mission, under the leadership of President Megawati.

Unfortunately, their concentration is very much distracted and their focus lost, including that of Ibu Megawati, because they give more time and attention to their positions in the political parties than to solving the mounting problems of the people.

For example, the defense minister is more concerned with his party than with improving the defense or the unity of the country. Similarly, the Vice President is attending to matters in his party, which are in fact splitting up a segment of the society.

Next there are a number of ministers, who have "dual membership" as members of the Cabinet as well as the legislature. They are those who are often absent from important meetings of the House as well as its commissions, thereby becoming ineffective in representing the voice of the people.

It is only appropriate for Ibu Megawati, in her foremost role as the mother of nation, rather than her role as the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, to be an exemplary model, at least for her Cabinet members in discarding political party' ties and in focusing her entire "body and soul" on solving the nation's problems.

It is nearing the darkness of after-sunset hours for the nation, and I sincerely hope they realize that not much time is left for them to get their act together.

ANDY BUDY JANTO S

Jakarta