Here, here, Amien Rais!
Here, here, Amien Rais!
From Merdeka
Being a veteran of the 1945 independence struggle, a former national businessman, and a new order journalist (1966) as well, I was proud to read the front page of Merdeka (March 17) which published a comment from Muhammadiyah general chairman Amien Rais. He said the New Order has eight positive, but two negative aspects.
In general, I agree with him. To be fair and honest, under Pak Harto's leadership over the last 25 years, our country has witnessed many achievements. Our economy is on an upward trend and so is the industrial sector. All this has paled the local import business which is no longer bringing in as many foreign goods as it used to.
Our financial situation appears to need stiff control, since national banks are curtailing money expenditures. Our rupiah appears to be a strong currency in the market and we have reason for gratitude in all fields because of these accomplishments.
Even Pertamina is no longer one of the state's most important income earners. Its days of supremacy have been gradually overshadowed by non-oil exports in the last two decades.
It is, therefore, regrettable that nobody has given education the right priority. Most of today's children have to curb their dreams of advanced studies because of the increasing trend of school fees.
School fees at ITI Serpong, have been set at Rp 25,000 per subject. Last year the fees were only Rp 16,000 and there are at least 20 schools. ITI was established by Prof. Habibie.
However, Pak Harto has succeeded in his job as head of state if we compare the situation with the Old Order era. Then people had to endure hardship and traveling overseas was a rarity.
Today's generation with money to spare do not need to assume an imposing attitude, they only have to book a seat on the plane. It is nothing to be snotty about, in our era of development traveling overseas is not limited to the rich alone. These days a noodle seller can also afford a trip to the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong and so on.
Amien Rais is quite right though, there is a negative side. This is reflected in corruption, collusion and the social disparity that continues to grow between the rich who are growing richer and the poor who are becoming poorer.
H.G. MALIKMASS
Jakarta