Let's be fair

To those who have desperately been dreaming of living in justice and prosperity, let's think clearly and be fair. We may have been wrong in assessing the current situation. There are some indications that both President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and his political foes are stumbling blocks to reform in all sectors, especially in law and the economy.

The only difference between the two sides is in the degree to which they disrupt reform and how much they play around with the reforms. I do not side with Gus Dur, but I feel that Gus Dur is much less of an impediment to reform than his opponents.

Thus, if we appeal for Gus Dur's resignation, we must also more strongly demand the resignations of those reform-disrupting politicians in the House of Representatives, the People's Consultative Assembly, the courts, the police and the military. We must realize that the source of all the country's woes is the political and economic sabotage committed by past and present economic and human rights criminals. I am sure whoever leads this country will not succeed if he or she carries out policies which threaten the interests of these corruptors and human rights violators.

I think there is a better solution than resorting to the Assembly special session, whose motive and legality is too political and debatable. The way out is a new general election using the direct voting system, so the Indonesian people will get the president they want. This president will then be more likely to listen to their aspirations in running the country and in conducting reform, including bringing to court those corruptors and human rights violators who have been at large for too long in this country.

AGUS S

Jakarta