Foundation of responsible govt

As we all probably agree, a president should create a strong and responsible tool, the government, to take care of the people. The people must be content because happiness is an important part of our life; not wealth, not power, not position and so on. You can be rich but not necessarily happy, you can be powerful, but perhaps not happy. Happy people are not going to complain. So this should be made the basic aim of the presidential tasks.

What is the vehicle used to reach the target? A simple one called democracy and transparency. What are the features of this democracy? There is nothing new in my concept because the biggest part is inherited from the New Order's democracy, which is not bad at all. Although democracy in itself is good, the implementation by officials during the New Order was not as it should be. It was not directed to benefit the people but for themselves and their cronies and sacrificed the people's interest.

Differences of opinion should be settled by argument and through deliberation and not by power. The results should be accepted by all parties.

Full freedom with a sense of responsibility must be given to the press. The government should consider the press as part and parcel of a sound democratic system. Criticism accompanied by a sense of responsibility is important for the birth of creativity, which is important for our national development.

Alternatives should also be offered. I believe the critics must know what is right and offer the right solution to the problem if their criticism is to be constructive.

The next and number one issue to be addressed is moral decadence, the cause of numerous problems like corruption, collusion and nepotism, lack of responsibility of the ruling class and their cronies and abuse of power. Religion will be one of the important weapons to cure the disease.

Remember the saying "The man behind the gun"? The gun might be the same, but if the gun is used by a police officer then it is good, but the same gun in the hands of criminals will cause trouble. So we must tackle the man. Number two, strict and consistent and fair law enforcement. This will give confidence back to the people. The government lacks the wholehearted support of the people because there are so many interpretations in the execution of the law and regulations. The same law has a different meaning depending on who uses it. Restoring foreign confidence is another problem to be tackled in order for foreign investors to return to Indonesia.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta