Indonesia gets opportunity to change itself
Indonesia gets opportunity to change itself
SINGAPORE: The swift and peaceful political transition in
Indonesia opens a small window of opportunity for a country that
has suffered from uncertainty and impasse in the recent past.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri struck the right note when she
said: 'I call on all parties to accept this democratic process
with sincerity ... This is the voice of the people which we must
uphold. My conviction is that there is no single group that is
able to solve the problems we are facing. Togetherness and unity
are needed to carry this burden." She was not making the usual
appeal for compromise, consensus and unity that political victors
do.
How Indonesia deals with its immense problems depends
crucially on how well its politicians manage to look beyond
personal and partisan interests and amplify the voices of
millions who are asking for stability and growth, two yardsticks
by which they will judge the democratic process. What is required
of those who are in charge of Indonesia's destiny is the ability
to concentrate on rehabilitating the country politically and
economically. The new President has the ability to do so. Those
she has to work with must allow her to do so.
The set of people who will matter critically are, of course,
those whom she selects as ministers. The crux of the issue, as a
political analyst in Indonesia put it, will be her ability to
lead a team by utilizing the potential of other people. The
challenge for her, however, will be to induct experts who can
deliver the goods, particularly in economic development, while
reflecting the interests of the political spectrum that helped
her to win power.
It is naive to believe that jockeying for positions will not
accompany the change of leadership, particularly at a time of
political flux such as Indonesia is now going through. Political
parties and factions that supported her will want to see their
contribution rewarded in the form of ministerial posts. But the
overarching goal must remain that of achieving stability and
growth.
If political wrangling detracts from that goal, Indonesia will
find it difficult to overcome the setbacks it has suffered. What
must be avoided at all costs is the rotating-door style of
ministerial hirings and firings which did much to confirm her
predecessor's reputation for ad hoc decisions and, indeed,
erratic behavior.
The hope is that Indonesia will move forward now that it has a
president who is supported by the legislature, apart from being
hugely popular with the masses. She will have a chance to present
a Cabinet containing experts who can come up with real solutions
to urgent problems. The presence of a capable executive will be
the first step towards restoring market confidence, particularly
among international investors who need to be assured that policy-
making will be predictable and that measures adopted will be
implemented.
Indonesia's new leader is well-known for her nationalism. The
sprawling archipelago needs the firm hand of a nationalist at the
top. A unified Indonesia is important for the stability of
Southeast Asia as well. The opportunity that has appeared is one
that bodes well for the region as a whole.
As neighbors and friends, Singaporeans wish that Indonesians
will seize the opportunity to rise above the turbulence and
poverty that have tarnished their standing and image among
nations. There is no illusion about the scope of the problems
Jakarta faces. But there is no illusion, either, about the fact
that something new has happened, and the new always holds out
possibilities and promises.
-- The Straits Times/Asia News Network