National reconciliation
National reconciliation
From Koran Tempo
The gotong royong(mutual help) Cabinet has finally been set up
and received positively by the market, accompanied by improving
macroeconomic indicators and the public's hope that national
economic recovery will prevail in the near future.
This hope, however, will remain just a hope if some
dissatisfied groups still seek to cause trouble in the Cabinet,
mobilize the masses to create unrest or spread terror. It is
understandable that President Megawati, just like anybody else,
cannot satisfy everybody.
It is no longer the time to go on infighting, bringing down
one another. We need calm and peace to rebuild our country. It is
now time for politicians to prove that they place national
interests above their own or their groups' interests. In this
context, the attempt to bring about reconciliation initiated by
Vice President Hamzah Haz must be supported by all parties,
including former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and his
National Awakening Party (PKB).
The country is still under the threat of instability as long
as Gus Dur and his party refuse to accept the results of the
People's Consultative Assembly's Special Session and recognize
Megawati's administration. As a champion of democracy, Gus Dur
must respect the votes of the majority to support Megawati's
administration. This support has come not only from the House
Representative/People's Consultative Assembly (DPR/MPR) but also
from the international community.
As a Muslim leader, Gus Dur will surely accept the offer of
reconciliation. Although holding no position in the Cabinet, the
National Awakening Party must work effectively in the DPR/MPR to
fight for the aspirations of its constituents as an opposition.
After reconciliation is achieved, the PKB faction can resume its
work in the legislative body to take part in Megawati's
administration.
With the return of the PKB to the DPR/MPR, hopefully, there
will be no further political turmoil until 2004. The public is
fed up with political conflict and would like to see the whole
nation united to eradicate poverty.
HARDIONO
Jepara, Central Java