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