Need for introspection

President Soeharto often says the Javanese phrase: Rumangsa bisa, nanging ora bisa rumangsa. Translated, this means, "To feel that one has the ability to do something, but not able to realize this ability." Broadly speaking, this expression means that we have the political will to evaluate our real ability in the context of our job we are doing. However, this also implicitly calls on us to do introspection. This is verily an important philosophy, and I would like to explain why.

Lately, a number of incidents, which concern politics, economy, law, have taken place one after the other, and have tarnished the integrity of our nation.

It is appropriate for us at the beginning of the sixth five- year development plan to assess our achievements and failures. Only after we have made the correct assessment can we start with the next step -- the payment of our foreign loans amounting to US$ 90 billion. Also, we must not forget to pay due attention to a number of issues like the fate of the workers who are underpaid, the need to uplift the people's knowledge, the need for reduction of the social gap and most importantly the need for character building. All these are necessary for the realization of a better future.

-Merdeka, Jakarta