National reawakening

National reawakening

From Media Indonesia

Thank God, the June 7, 1999 general election, regardless of all its shortcomings, has marked the beginning of the Indonesian people's reawakening from the low position they found themselves in all this time. As predicted, the winner of the election will not be able to constitute a single majority. So, our People's Consultative Assembly/House of Representatives will be really colorful.

In this context, allow me, an Indonesian who always hopes for his nation's unity, which is now threatened by disintegration, to request that our leaders unite in rebuilding this nation. There is now no longer any need for mutual condemnation, elbowing and blocking. We all belong to the same motherland and the interest of the nation reigns supreme.

Someone can be considered a national leader and a statesman if he places national interests above those of his own or his group. It is this type of person that is now needed to bring together various aspirations and perceptions in a wise manner.

Most people, in fact, have only a simple wish: how to get out of the ongoing economic crisis so that daily necessities can be easily available and life will be peaceful. They won't care much about who will become president.

In my opinion, it is necessary for political parties to establish a coalition after the general election. But, mind you, this will not be a coalition of parties having a common principle, ideology or platform. What we need is a national coalition, or a national reconciliation. In this national coalition all national leaders will jointly strive to build this nation sincerely.

Again, in my opinion, it is this kind of coalition that the nation now urgently needs. Such a coalition will enable our national leaders to address all the problems encountered by the nation. The government, the legislature reflecting popular choice, the military and the people will work together toward solving these problems.

If everything is plain sailing, then we will finally be able to establish a civil society characterized by prosperity, justice and welfare in the run-up to Indonesia's glory in the 21st century. Oh, how beautiful this dream. But all this can materialize only if our leaders take the initiative to act as national leaders or statesmen, not simply leaders of certain groups. Hope is the only thing left to us, the common people.

M. ADNAN ABDULLAH

Jakarta