Mega, Hamzah offend the people

Mega, Hamzah offend the people

From Bisnis Indonesia

The report that Megawati and Hamzah Haz would like Sutiyoso to be reelected as the governor of Jakarta for the 2002-2007 term is really a cause for deep concern.

The President and the Vice President have offended the Indonesian people, the Jakarta people in particular, especially if their argument is that Jakarta as the capital city of Indonesia must have its security guaranteed.

Security, which is essentially the responsibility of every citizen, is entrusted in the hands of the police and the military.

Megawati and Hamzah Haz would be violating the principles of democracy if they make political deals in the interests of their own groups.

They must bear in mind that the Indonesian society is now working hard to make this country more democratic so that everything must be bottom-up, no longer top-down as in the New Order regime.

If it is true that Megawati and Hamzah Haz have endorsed the reelection of Sutiyoso, their administration is nothing but the second volume of the New Order regime.

Let's all voice our criticism of this matter as otherwise our dream of building a civil society through democracy and upholding human rights will remain just that -- a dream.

TAUFIK ZAHRONY

Jakarta