Megawati's speech

Megawati's speech

From Gamma

President Megawati's recent speech at the commemoration of the
73rd Youth Pledge Day in Cibubur, East Jakarta, which reiterated
her call for the eradication of corruption, collusion and
nepotism (KKN), indicated her determination to fight KKN in line
with Decree No.XI/1998 of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR).

With her authority, the President should be able to eradicate
KKN practices, instead of merely calling on the public, including
the youth, to fight KKN.

The deeply rooted KKN practices in Indonesia are the heritage
of the New Order government under Soeharto's unchecked and
authoritarian leadership for over three decades. Soeharto's
leadership structure resulted in a corrupt economic and political
system in almost all sectors. Megawati must take a firm, definite
and consistent attitude and make steps to persuade the public to
cut relations with the New Order group.

The clear parameter of Megawati's leadership in the
eradication of KKN can be seen from the ability of her
administration to bring former officials of the New Order
government and tycoons to court for trial and from her courage to
clean her Cabinet and administration from New Order elements.

In view of the political reality in Indonesia today, it seems
to be difficult for Megawati to carry out that mission, because
Megawati, like her predecessor Abdurrahman Wahid, has won the
presidency thanks to political compromise between the reformists
and the status quo. It was not a result of the struggle of the
reformist group and political parties.

The political conspiracy, which enabled Megawati and Wahid to
come to power, has been dominated by the New Order's power. Thus,
the New Order's resistance and political bargaining power
continues to hamper the eradication of KKN.

HENDARDI

Chairman of PBHI

Jakarta

Jakarta