Implement democratic measures

Implement democratic measures

The new President lacks Soeharto's charisma and does not
exercise control over Indonesia's Armed Forces. If he does not
implement measures to wipe out corruption, antigovernment forces
will vent their wrath on him.

President Habibie should set up his reform council and
implement the democratic measures that Soeharto had promised
prior to his resignation. The passage of an anticorruption law
will change the way that foreign trading companies and financial
institutions, which had helped to prop up Soeharto's
dictatorship, conduct business in Indonesia. Though criticism
will be directed at the commercial practices of Japanese and
other foreign corporations which fostered close ties with the
Indonesian elite, the opportunity to eliminate bribery and
corruption in Indonesia should be welcomed.

But Habibie must not forget that the Indonesian military was
the pillar which propped up Soeharto's developmental
dictatorship. If his administration fails to restore stability,
the Armed Forces could intervene to set up a military regime.
Habibie must proceed with political reform and draw the curtains
on the age of dictatorships to promote economic development.

-- Mainichi Shimbun, Tokyo