Election time frame must be set

The current reform cabinet is making its first moves designed to prove its credibility, consistency and courage. President B.J. Habibie, presiding over his first cabinet meeting yesterday (Monday), outlined the underlying concepts that will serve as the basis for implementing reforms in all spheres of life.

One of President Habibie's decisions, the effects of which could be felt immediately, was the release of political prisoners Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Muchtar Pakpahan, whose cases have come under the spotlight of international attention because their trials violated the principles of fair justice and truthfulness, and because the verdicts were determined according to the subjective standards of the state authorities.

In the meantime, however, the brunt of the public's attention remains focused on the issue of holding a general election. Aware of this, President Habibie made it known that an accelerated general election would be held as soon as new laws governing political matters have been passed.

Without deprecating the President's courage in ordering fair and honest elections, however, his stated willingness to speed up the elections alone is not enough because no definite time frame is given. In the absence of such a time frame, loopholes for reneging on the promise later remain wide open. For instance, the long time that may needed to draft new political laws could be used as an excuse to delay the promised elections.

For this reason it would be helpful for President Habibie to set a definite time frame -- for example by stating that a general election will be held within a year as of this day. Setting such a deadline is useful as it would spur the cabinet into making every effort to meet it.

Without such a time frame, we fear the cabinet may lose its resolve to hold speedy elections. Excuse upon excuse may be made to justify a delay. It is, therefore, not too much to ask President Habibie to set a definite time frame. Unless this is done, the reformist spirit will be weak, as it is no better than the promises of change former president Soeharto made before his resignation.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta