Habibie's unappreciated address

Why is the public indifferent to the President's recent state- of-the-nation speech? Most probably because there is a gap between the priorities Habibie and the people in his immediate surroundings are setting and the actual problems that are occupying people's minds. This presents a most dangerous situation for us as a nation, and if this continues the public's apathy and distrust will grow.

The Aug. 16 state-of-the-nation address should appropriately reflect on the independence which we won at such a great price. The most appropriate topics to discuss in this context would therefore pertain to the efforts that we are and have been making to free ourselves from the various impediments that are slowing down our march toward progress.

What people need is not excuses and bewildering speeches, but concrete action to extricate them from their current state of distress.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta