Harmoko's announcement brings cheers

JAKARTA (JP): Yes! This is how many people reacted yesterday when asked to comment about the plan of the House of Representatives (DPR) leadership to urge President Soeharto to step down.

The instant cheers, however, were quickly followed by worries about who would succeed Soeharto and events that might happen during a possible handover. Some did not even believe what House Speaker Harmoko announced.

Here are their comments:

Debora Ratna Priyanti, 29, an architect in East Jakarta: Hurray! You see, it's been so boring to have never had another president other than Soeharto. It would be better for my son to have a different president.

Marine private Syamsuddin -- not his real name (speaking from his tank in a business center in Central Jakarta): What? They asked Soeharto to step down? I can't believe it. Well if that's so, I feel relieved because at least it would cool down the rallies. So, I can have some rest.

Arbi Sanit, political observer at the University of Indonesia: The conflicting statements from Harmoko and the Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto reflect a serious rift among the country's ruling elite. It also reflects that this regime is soon going to fall since its political machine that has worked so well for more than 30 years is not working anymore. Even those most loyal to him (President Soeharto) have now left him. The question for the nation is who will be the upcoming leader and whether he will punish the current regime for what it did.

Edi, a fried rice seller at Palmerah, West Jakarta: I think Soeharto needs to rest. He is old enough and might be already senile. We have enough young and bright people to lead this country.

Second Lt. Edi Hartono (not his real name), a Jakarta police special squad officer: I feel glad with the House's demand for Soeharto to step down. Finally they do something good for the people. But honestly, in this situation, I don't think Pak Harto (the President) will give up easily. What if this is just another booby trap, even worse, more lies to curb the people's movement? Whatever the decision might be, I'm just an officer. I'll do what my superiors order me to do. But as an Indonesian citizen, I hope that this is a sign of change. I hope we can eventually have a wise and just leader other than Soeharto.

Agus Gede Mahendra, a student activist from University of Indonesia: Frankly speaking, we have to check first whether Harmoko passed the decision through the right procedures to produce and issue that statement. For we all know, if the procedure is not constitutional, then the statement is meaningless.

About the successor, I admit that I don't have any names. The choice now should be returned to the people.

If (Vice President) B.J. Habibie proceeds to preside over the country, I can't say anything other than we'll see what the people say.

Kamser Sitanggang, a leader of the Indonesian Christian Student Movement in Medan: Habibie to be elected as president? I don't think that it would solve the problem because the people have lost faith in this cabinet. As for the DPR demand for Soeharto to back down, we agree to that! But all members of the House must soon stick together to state their opinion.

Sumarji, an angkot (public minivan) driver in Tangerang: I'm very happy with the news that we're going to have a new president so there will be changes. I hope the People's Consultative Assembly will elect Amien Rais.

Tati Sri Winarti, an employee of a foreign institution: I feel totally relieved and confused as well. This nation has not had a succession for decades and hasn't prepared for a new leadership.

Endang Nurdin, an Indonesian working as a reporter at a foreign radio station in London: It's a release for us here. It's the people's demand that triggered the recent riots which raised our concerns here for our family there. (His successor?) It's a big and open question. Temporarily, Amien Rais could be the right figure as he has been quite consistently urging Soeharto to step down.

Tajudin Saleh, a street trader in Tangerang: I have been tired of the way things are and want significant change. I'll vote for Try Sutrisno (former vice president). He's a soldier, close to the people and has no family interests. His son, for example, is just a police officer.

Oyon, a morgue employee at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital: Why not be glad? He has to step down anyway, that's what people want. His aides and cabinet have to be dismissed. To be honest, I'm confused as to who will succeed him.

Advendi Simangunsong, chairperson of the Trisakti University pension fund: Personally, I'm happy to hear it, but at the same time I feel uneasy. I'm afraid there will be more victims and riots if something goes wrong with the leadership handover. As a member of the Trisakti University reformation student movement, I think we can't just stop at this point. This isn't the end.

M. Jusuf Ronodipuro, former Indonesian ambassador to Chili and Uruguay in the 1970s: It's the best thing that the DPR has done after all this time. And I'm optimistic about the successor since there are over 200 million people here. Why do we have difficulties in naming a person to lead us?

Karmin, 18, a street food seller in Central Jakarta: Well, if Pak Harto wants to step down or if the people ask him to do so it's normal because I think he's already too old. He cannot stay in power forever. Why not step aside and let the younger ones lead this country. All I want, whoever becomes president, is a better life, such as cheap food prices and conditions in which I can make money for a living.

Eko Purwono, a lecturer of architecture at the Bandung Institute of Technology: This happy news should not be claimed by other groups who want to take advantage of the situation. It's usual that in a struggle, when we almost reach our target, a lot of people will claim to have participated in that struggle. Yet, don't forget that those who started this are the students.

Ahmad Muhibbuddin, chairman of the student senate at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic Institute (IAIN) in Ciputat, South Jakarta: Personally, I don't think it's politically engineered. But I do believe that it was the student movement which succeeded in pushing Harmoko to talk like that to his 'father'.

Students will surely continue their movement because it is not merely aimed at requesting Soeharto to step aside but at cleaning up this ruling regime. So Soeharto's resignation is only part of the process.

Richard Sidabutar, a student activist at St. Thomas Catholic University in Medan, North Sumatra: It's about time for Soeharto to hand over his crown. He's already too old. But we are not sure about this news. What if it is some kind of game? We could not just swallow and support the demand. We have to analyze it first. Besides, people know that many things in this country, such as elections and MPR assemblies, are engineered.

Andri (not a real name), a student leader from University of Indonesia: I wonder if Harmoko really meant what he said. We would face a difficult situation if Habibie replaces Soeharto, because I believe that as long as the government keeps the same people in the cabinet, collusion, corruption and nepotism will never fade from this country.

Soemitra Soerachmat, a commissioner of PT Timor Putra Nasional, the controversial sedan producer controlled by Soeharto's son Hutomo (Tommy) Mandala Putra: I have no comment at this time. I'm not a politician. Let the House do it. Whatever the result, it must be the best for the unity of this nation. (bsr/ivy/aan/emf/edt/21/41/43)