Megawati told to take bold action to cleanse bureaucracy

Bambang Nurbianto and Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Legislators, non-governmental organization activists and students urged President Megawati Soekarnoputri to get serious with her words and deeds in order to cleanse the bureaucracy and other institutions from New Order groups and individuals who are the enemies of the reformation movement.

The reform process, particularly in the area of law enforcement and fighting against corruption, collusion and nepotism would not take place smoothly as the bureaucracy and state institutions are still controlled by elements of the New Order regime, they argued.

The New Order is associated with the massive corruption and widespread oppression during the 32-year Soeharto administration which finally ended in 1998.

Speaking during a year-end event organized by the University of Indonesia's Student Executive Council (BEM UI) in Jakarta on Monday, Judil Herry Justam of the New Order Surveillance Committee said that cooperation among pro-reform elements is required to eliminate the forces of the New Order regime from key positions in all three branches of government as well as in other state institutions.

Other speakers included Pramono Anung of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Ali Masykur Musa of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Samuel Koto of the National Mandate Party (PAN), M.S. Kaban of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), and BEM UI Chairman Wisnu Sunandar.

All the speakers pressed Megawati's administration to cut the alliances with the Golkar Party -- widely believed to be the epitome of the New Order -- arguing that such cooperation has hampered the government from doing anything noteworthy against corrupt figures from the New Order.

Judil said that research conducted by his organization showed that 30 percent of House of Representatives members and 54 percent of Cabinet members have close links with the Soeharto-New Order regime, which the reformasi movement fought to bring down just a few years ago.

"There should be a joint movement to get rid of the New Order elements, at least in the executive branch because the reform process will never be carried out smoothly if New Order people remain in key roles within the government," said Judil, calling for a coalition of PDI Perjuangan, PAN, PKB and the Justice Party to expel Golkar from the government.

"If they form a strong coalition, government policies can be implemented well without participation of politicians from Golkar," he added.

Pramono Anung from PDI Perjuangan, meanwhile, said bureaucratic revolution was needed because New Order leaders, who still have a firm grip on power, hamper government efforts to introduce reforms.

"As stated by President Megawati that she could only control her Cabinet ministers while officials of echelon I and II are not under her control," Pramono said.

Another speaker, Samuel Koto of PAN, said President Megawati does have the power to take drastic actions to terminate the role of the New Order in key government positions.

"Megawati could start by replacing all echelon I and echelon II officials who are still the backbones of the New Order," Samuel said.

Ali Masykur Musa of PKB said all reform elements should support his party's desire to set up a Special House Committee to investigate Golkar Chairman Akbar Tandjung's alleged involvement in corruption worth Rp 40 billion, which according to him could serve as a catalyst to permanently end New Order influence in the government.

"I agree that all reform agendas like law enforcement and fighting against corruption, collusion and nepotism could proceed smoothly if only we can eliminate the New Order elements from their key positions," he added.

Contacted separately, Golkar legislator Burhan Djabir Magenda claimed that his party had scrapped its authoritarian old-style image and adopted a new outlook to fit the demands for reform.

"We do not maintain the status quo. We just want to be realistic by paying attention to our complicated problems," Burhan told The Jakarta Post by phone.

Commenting on the snail-paced eradication of corruption, Burhan said all processes of law would take time because it was necessary to gather accurate evidence.

"I think the reform agenda has been performing very well and the people at large have been satisfied," said Burhan.