Indonesians obsessed with power: Sarwono

Indonesians obsessed with power: Sarwono

JAKARTA (JP): Presidential succession is one of the most
talked about topics of discussion in the country because
Indonesians are obsessed with power, said one of the country's
cabinet ministers over the weekend.

State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said in an
interview with The Jakarta Post that Indonesians are so
fascinated by power that they tirelessly talk about succession as
if it was the only thing they need to watch.

For many people, power is everything and they will do anything
to stay in power, said Sarwono, a former secretary-general of the
ruling Golkar party from 1983 to 1988.

"It is a phenomenon which is closely associated with emerging
societies," he said.

Because of the power orientation, people like to imitate what
their superiors do, which unfortunately is not always good.

"If you ask a corrupt person why he is corrupt, he will say:
'Because my boss is corrupt.' That is ridiculous," Sarwono said.

Presidential succession has begun to dominate political debate
as the country prepares for the 1997 general election.

Sarwono said presidential succession is important, but
underlined that many things that need to be watched are now often
overlooked.

"The way I look at things can be very different from other
people. If you talk about succession, why talk about presidential
succession alone? I don't think it makes sense," he said.

He pointed out that Indonesia has experienced succession from
agriculture to industry, which speaks of significant progress in
development of the country's economy.

While many improvements have been made within the past 30
years, Sarwono specified two elements which will influence future
economic development: time and direction.

"We need more educated people, more economic growth, and
better distribution of wealth. It takes a process. You can't see
a society transform itself in ten or 20 years," he said.

Sarwono said that many people, especially the young
generation, must be patient if they want to see the fruits of
development. Older people as well, he said, must maintain a
historical perspective of things.

"We are seeing a young generation lacking in historical
sense," he said. "If you don't have historical perspective, how
can you place yourself in this world?" (sim)