Dreaming of more civic society

Never before in the history of this republic has the role of the second in command become more vital in shaping the destiny of this nation. This is primarily and solely due to the fact that the first in command has entered his seventh term of office at the age of nearly 80 years. The Vice President, in comparison, has just begun to serve his first term, although many classify him as a genius and a firm believer in the German adage Der Fuhrer hat immer Recht (the leader is always right).

I am inclined to believe that his thinking is absolutely logical in matters of science, such as in the Big Bang theory. He will display a greater democratic sensitivity (read: tolerance) in matters relating to freedom of expression and political dissent. Hopefully, too, under his leadership the present semi- military society of Indonesia will grow into full "normal" civic society. The military, as witnessed in Latin America or Africa, tends to be overzealous. So are the police. The riot-control methods against students and demonstrators, including women, remind many of the repression during the Dutch colonial time or Japanese fascist regime, not in a Pancasila society. Thank God, recent signals from the second man reveals that he is in favor of economic and political reforms as so fanatically demanded by students and a number of intellectuals.

We shall see if these reforms include a reshuffle of the cabinet to allay charges of nepotism. There should be an end to (political party) favoritism: Soerjadi's Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI). Also there is a need for national reconciliation, meaning that advisory boards should include critics, proven experts in their fields or internationally recognized.

The election system should be changed so that students' aspirations can be channeled to legislative bodies and not become choked and explode on the streets and campuses. The pyramids built over three decades or more have crumbled in a few months only because the one at the helm has served too long. And this precisely has been the mother of all crises, while the origin may be found in the unrestricted borrowing and irresponsible spending of loans on pet projects.

Meanwhile, the agricultural sector has been tragically neglected and small-scale industries targeted only for export and not developed. Power and wealth are admittedly God given and only to the chosen few. But the demons know these are temporary of nature and they dance at that. The Law of Creation demands that wealth and power be shared with others. If you have too much of something, there are others who have too little. Never let the demons dance too long and allow you to trip over a small thing and fall, and fall painfully.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta