Habibie's precarious position

Habibie's precarious position

It is becoming increasingly clear that members of the nation's
political elite are now too busy preparing their own respective
political agendas... to think about attempting any breakthroughs
to improve the economy. Ironically, there are many who believe
that it will be impossible to restore the economy until a
definite national political agenda is established.

Under such circumstances, it will be difficult for the
government to overcome the economic crisis. At the same time,
unless the government can achieve a meaningful (economic)
breakthrough, it will be difficult for Habibie to gain public
support, much less accomplish his own political agenda.

The power struggle that will take place at (the ruling
grouping) Golkar's congress next month will provide the first
test of whether he has the necessary political support. Golkar,
after all, is at this moment still formally a major force that is
capable of influencing the national political map.

Without professing to be able to predict what will happen
within Golkar, however, we can say that there is no reason for
Habibie to be pessimistic. If, during his term, he can bring
about the desired positive changes in a number of political and
economic laws, as he has promised, people will note the feat as a
most important achievement.

Habibie is racing against time. Nevertheless, as one who,
according to (East Timor) Bishop Belo, is a dynamic and very open
person, it may be expected that he will be able to make a
significant contribution toward change, however brief his term in
office.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta