Government's handling of crises draws criticism

JAKARTA (JP): The country's current leaders have yet to prove their capability and concern in handling the deteriorating situation in the country, a prominent journalist and social affairs observer said on Monday.

Chairman of the Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information (ISAI) Goenawan Mohamad noted that the committing of atrocities and a mood of fear prevailed in the country, especially in sectarian-torn Maluku, which were of an alarming scope and magnitude.

He said the worst aspect of the mayhem was that people killed others in the name of religion.

"It's obvious that President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri understand the situation but do not sense the urgency of putting it to an end," Goenawan said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post.

He said Abdurrahman often spoke without forethought or ideas for follow-up policies.

"There are too many statements from the President that did not reflect strategic views," Goenawan said.

He criticized the Vice President for doing and saying little to handle unrest, particularly the bloodshed in Maluku. "It can't be expected that the conflict would be solved immediately but, like in Aceh, the solution to Maluku's problem is apparently coming too slowly."

Goenawan also took to task People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais, who has repeatedly criticized the government for failing to end Maluku's strife.

Amien has not shown his statesmanship, particularly in his comments on the sectarian conflict in Maluku, Goenawan said.

"Muslim solidarity in Maluku should be expressed, but as the MPR speaker he should know that the violence in Maluku will not cease if people fail to cope with hatred, anger and prejudice," he said.

Goenawan expressed respect for the three leaders but said they should display true leadership for the sake of the country.

He feared the disintegration of the country if the killing in Maluku continued, with the violence spreading nationwide and taking longer to quell.

The country's founding father promoted pluralism, but the New Order regime canceled it out through the power of guns and money and under the mask of Javanese traditions, he added.

"It is time for us to shout, as stated in the poem of prominent poet Taufiq Ismail: Bring back Indonesia to us!" (04)