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)