MPR and Emil Salim
MPR and Emil Salim
From Merdeka
I am a graduate of the Bandung Institute of Technology, a
member of the board of the Indonesian Engineers Association, a
Golkar member know two prominent Golkar members, B.J. Habibie and
Emil Salim.
I know these individuals from conferences, seminars and
articles. I know that Emil Salim has an excellent knowledge of
economics and technology, both conceptually and practically
speaking. He is reputedly honest and has the gift to communicate
with people from all walks of life.
I have traveled to the United States for relatively long
periods at a time, where I have read about foreign opinions on
Indonesia. I get the impression that overseas opinion views Emil
Salim favorably. I do not wish to be dictated to by a superpower,
but I see this positive opinion as beneficial, especially in this
global era in which we live.
With no disrespect intended to Habibie, the three socio-
political organizations and the Armed Forces which have nominated
him as their sole vice-presidential candidate, I believe that
Emil Salim is more suited to the post and has the leadership
qualities required to pull this nation through difficult times.
This crisis has the potential to devastate the Indonesian
nation. In all humbleness, I appeal to whomever thinks that Emil
Salim is the best candidate for the post of vice president to
voice their opinion. We are living through times which will
decide the nation's fate. All people should voice their concern
so that the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will come to see
that many aspirations of people in our society differ from the
wishes of the three socio-political parties. Let us see if our
1,000 representatives, with their luxurious facilities paid for
by the people's toil, can give voice to their conscience or will
acquiesce to party authorities when it comes to choosing a vice
president. If they follow the voice of their heart, they will go
down in history as examples for our progeny. The outside world
will see our MPR members as a reflection of this nation's
dignity, and not just as puppets. The nation's dignity is at
stake. Everything is left up to the MPR, who will decide this
nation's destiny.
T.P. TANDANG
Limo, West Java