New beginnings

New beginnings

Frail though he is, Indonesia's new President Abdurrahman
Wahid has wasted no time in setting out his agenda, and
attempting to heal some of the wounds that have torn the country
apart.

He has acknowledged that one of his main tasks is to reduce
the massive chasm between rich and poor. Without a fairer
division of wealth, the social rifts will remain to foment
unrest, and the country cannot be successfully rebuilt.

Though there was primarily a racial component in the riots
last May against ethnic Chinese during the fall of former
president Soeharto, the same flashpoint can be seen in all the
seeming problems of ethnicity that divide one island from
another.

Before the President are some of the most daunting problems to
confront any leader: a shattered economy, corruption and
cronyism, and the necessity to restructure the administration so
that the country has a transparent and accountable government
which serves the people, and earns their trust.

Crucially, he has to create a cabinet of like-minded allies,
convince the restive elements in Aceh and the other provinces
where the call for a break with Jakarta become ever more
strident, that it is in their interests to accept his offer of
autonomy, so that they have the opportunity to learn how to
govern.

With the example of East Timor before them, and a new and
moderate president in power, independence factions elsewhere may
think this is the moment to press their cause.

Mr. Wahid ... deserves help if he is to succeed in
reconstructing the nation along fair and just lines. Aceh and
other provinces would do well to hear what he has to offer, and
see if it does not serve their interests best before they start
on the difficult road to independence.

-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong