Muchlis' resignation

Muchlis' resignation

Whatever caused (West Sumatra Governor) Muchlis to resign, his
act will certainly add to President B.J. Habibie's unpopularity.
Public opinion sees in Muchlis' decision an act of courage --
something that would have been impossible to imagine during the
past New Order era.

During the New Order era, the government practically always
managed to defeat rebellious currents in the regions without loss
of face. In every case, history recorded absolute victory on the
part of the central government. The current reform movement,
however, has brought certain blessings. Among other things, our
lives have become more appealing and less established and
monotonous. Before Muchlis' case, we witnessed how the people of
Yogyakarta compelled Jakarta to recognize Sultan Hamengkubuwono X
as the region's governor.

We respect Muchlis for having had the courage, as a government
official, to refuse to condone what he believed to be injustice
and to protect his personal honor at the same time. This case
should also teach Habibie and his Cabinet that the situation in
the country today has drastically changed from the past. The New
Order habit of claiming a monopoly on the right to rule what is
true and right can no longer be used as a basis for policy-
making.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta