Habibie's urgent tasks

In times of crisis such as now, the government must move with both firmness and speed. There is no other option for the Habibie government but to finish at least two urgent tasks. First, it must stick to the reform agenda already agreed upon. The passing of new political laws, the holding of a People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR) special session, the holding of general elections and a convening of the MPR general session next year must follow the time schedule already planned. Second, the government must settle all the important outstanding issues it has promised to resolve. The abduction of political activists, the May riots, the atrocities that have been committed in a number of provinces and the eradication of corruption, including the promised investigation into (ex-president) Soeharto's wealth are some of those issues. They are part of the government's debt to the people.

Those two agendas must be attacked simultaneously. Delaying either of them would only aggravate the problems at hand. Finishing those two agendas will not guarantee that the economic crisis, which is already more than a year old, can be overcome soon. However, it would help restore the public's confidence in the government. If all those issues can be settled soon and satisfactorily, the government's legitimacy will be established. Without such legitimacy, no economic program, however excellent, will help.

The present lack of legitimacy is providing ammunition for opponents to undermine Habibie's government. It would be naive to believe that those opposing groups do not have a political agenda. On the other hand, Habibie's supporters, too, are certain to have agendas of their own. Whatever political targets are involved, though, it would be sad if the people must become the victims of this rivalry.

-- Republika, Jakarta