Nation on brink of distarter, bankruptcy, Kwik warns
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.