Learning from criticism

A tentative list of candidates for the 1997-2002 House of Representatives was announced on Monday. Although many of the candidates are newcomers, the names of many of our present legislators are included in the list.

The choice of candidates could be made a subject of interesting debate. A representative of the people must be able to convey many of the people's aspirations to the government, especially since the government could not possibly grasp all the problems that may arise. A good insight of existing problems and a competence to analyze them and find solutions in cooperation with the government is a capability that should be honed.

Complaints that our present legislatures lack caliber may not be true. It is important to use criticism as a starting point towards improvement. Recognizing one's own failures is better than being complaisant.

-- Pikiran Rakyat, Bandung