Maelstrom facing Gus Dur's govt

Maelstrom facing Gus Dur's govt

From Suara Karya

While the nation's new government is striving to carry out a
series of measures in its reform agenda, we were suddenly
surprised by the demand of Aceh to free itself from the
Indonesian republic through a referendum.

It seems that President Abdurrahman Wahid's government is
bombarded with a number of problems. All the problems are
serious, ranging from sharp criticism, condemnation, protests
against injustices, the sluggish handling of the problems of
corruption, collusion and nepotism, to the most dangerous issue
of disintegration of the unitary country.

It is true that, given the multidimensional nature of the
country in terms of ethnicities, religions, traditions and
cultures, and heterogeneity, this country holds great potential
to disintegrate. A number of issues seems to stem from the marked
gap between the majority on the one hand and the minority on the
other. Besides, the trend for openness and democracy have given
rise to many problems in a country still not quite ready to face
the new concept. Disintegration will ultimately lead the country
to destruction as it breaks up into smaller nations.

It is here the President should show his managerial skills,
through listening to accommodate the people's cries, lead the
nation to the New Indonesia and maintain the country's
territorial integrity.

ADE NUR FAUZY

Jakarta