Government needs constructive criticism: Official

Government needs constructive criticism: Official

JAKARTA (JP): A student demonstrator-turned cabinet minister
called on the public yesterday to offer their ideas on how to
create cleaner governance.

Akbar Tanjung, a 1966 student movement leader and now state
minister of public housing, said the public should tirelessly
give constructive criticism and suggestions on state affairs.

"We are aware that a lot has yet to be done by the government
to improve people's welfare and improve the state economy," Akbar
told reporters.

Akbar made the remarks after addressing the 31st anniversary
of Tritura, or the People's Three Demands, to celebrate 1966 when
students, with Army backing, took to the streets to demand lower
prices, the disbandment of president Sukarno's cabinet and the
banning of the Indonesian Communist Party.

This year's celebration of Tritura was held at the Tanah Kusir
Public Cemetery in South Jakarta at the graveside of Arief
Rachman Hakim, a student leader shot dead during a demonstration
in 1966.

A number of former student leaders, who proudly call
themselves "Generation of 66", and numerous officials attended
the ceremony.

Akbar's remarks come as allegations of widespread corruption
in the bureaucracy are under public scrutiny. Corruption is
partly blamed for public unrest.

The minister said the public should have the freedom to air
their constructive criticisms of the bureaucracy.

"We do not want people lose the courage to express their
opinions and reveal the truth," he said, adding that corruption
and collusion in the bureaucracy was "undeniable".

However, he called for the public to remain patient, saying
that creating clean governance would not happen overnight.

"It is the responsibility of all of us, not only the
government, to create a clean governance," he said.

Also present were South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko; Chairman of
the Great Family of Arif Rachman Hakim -- an umbrella
organization of the 1966 student activists -- Djusril Djusan and
Golkar officials.

Student demonstrations in 1966 contributed to the downfall of
the then president Sukarno and paved the way for the rise to
power of Soeharto, then a young Army general.

Many of the then "anti-establishment" student leaders are now
in the presidential cabinet and other senior government
positions. Others are serving in the House of Representatives,
and some have become successful business leaders and noted
scholars.

Beside Akbar, well-known 1966 activists include the Minister
of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, Minister of Transmigration Siswono
Yudohusodo, State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja,
Deputy House Speaker Soerjadi and businessmen Sofyan Wanandi, and
Fahmi Idris. (imn)