Nation on brink of distarter, bankruptcy, Kwik warns

Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia is in the midst of political disarray and financial bankruptcy as the country no longer takes control of its own fate and is under a new form of domination, according to Kwik Kian Gie's statements on Saturday.

The deputy chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said the country now embraced "the dominators" who were launching geopolitical tricks using mastery of technology and management as their weapons, while addressing the Pancasila Day celebration at the PDI Perjuangan headquarters in South Jakarta.

"Indonesia was dominated for hundreds of years and has succeeded in gaining independence. Yet, the independence is only in the form of paper as we are now faced with another form of domination economically, financially and politically," said Kwik who is also Minister of National Development and Planning.

Since the International Monetary Fund (IMF) entered Indonesia in 1997, the country was bound to IMF rules and policies and Indonesia was now headed towards further economic bankruptcy and disorder, he commented.

"If we read the Letter of Intent (LoI), we cannot help but to ask ourselves, who is ruling Indonesia, the Gotong Royong Cabinet or the IMF?," he lambasted.

At the same time, he said, Indonesia was also faced with threats of national disintegration marked by the separatist movements in Maluku and Papua provinces, who are armed with sophisticated weaponry.

"Apparently, they (the separatists) are equipped with modern weapons, even better than the ones owned by the Indonesian military," Kwik lamented.

In a recent Cabinet meeting, it was obvious that the TNI and the National police were in disarray, as only about 30 percent to 50 percent of its equipment was operational.

"From their explanation (to Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs and the National Police Chief) it's clear that both the TNI and Police are bankrupt also. It means that on every front we are faced with a country in chaos," Kwik said.

As a solution, he suggested that the nation should awaken its spirit of unity and reclaim its dignity.

He also challenged PDI Perjuangan to participate in a national movement to regain the country's greatness.

"Are we capable of rebuilding the national integrity and regaining the sovereignty and the honor of our nation?" he asked.