Lady, please refrain yourself!

Lady, please refrain yourself!

On Nov. 16 evening, state-owned TVRI and the other TV stations
aired a talk show featuring three gentlemen and two ladies that
TVRI considered societal figures. I have never been so frustrated
and disgusted after listening to most of what was discussed
during this talk show. This was especially so when the argument
turned to the subject of student demonstrations versus the Armed
Forces (ABRI) action in handling the matter. Most speakers in
this talk show claimed that the students were financed and that
student demonstrations had become fashionable.

My intention in commenting on this is to show that my opinion
differs from theirs, since I believe that the student movement is
genuinely for democracy and for the future survival of our
nation. In this context I would like to point out that United
States Vice President Al Gore's statement quoted in The Herald
Tribune on Nov. 17, in which I am in full agreement, i.e.:
"History taught us that freedom -- economic, political, and
religious -- unlocks a higher fraction of human potential than
any other way of organizing society."

Furthermore he added: "People will accept sacrifice in a
democracy, not only because they have a role in choosing it, but
because they are likely to benefit from it. Democracies have done
better in coping with economic crisis than nations where freedom
is suppressed."

My other reaction is especially addressed to one of the talk
show participants, Mrs. Murdaya, who represents one of the
minority faiths in Indonesia (note: some consider Buddhism is not
a religion). Mrs. Murdaya said during the show that the students
were definitely financed by a certain vested interest group and
that she felt sorry for ABRI which had been strongly criticized
by society for its brutality.

Mrs. Murdaya, said she spoke as a mother and therefore well-
understood the young people's emotions and consequently how the
students could be easily manipulated.

Mrs. Murdaya has the right to voice her opinion, but I would
like to remind her that during former president Soeharto's
governance, her husband's business would have been considered by
many as coming through cronyism with the old regime.

May I suggest to her to refrain from giving an unpopular
political opinion of what I personally consider opportunistic in
nature at this very fragile moment in the life of our nation.

WATI ABDULGANI

Jakarta