New faces at DPA
New faces at DPA
From Kompas
Observing how circumstances are evolving in our beloved
country, we may say that it seems it is still quite long before
its "illness" is cured. All efforts and attempts already made
still cannot bring the situation back to normal, like it was
before the onset of this economic/monetary crisis.
Nevertheless, the new members of the Supreme Advisory Council
(DPA) for the 1998-2003 term, sworn in on June 13, 1998, may
contribute ideas to help solve the crisis. Isn't it the duty of
the Supreme Advisory Council to provide the President with
advice, either solicited or not?
It is only appropriate, then, if the Reform and Development
Cabinet, which is committed to eliminating practices of
corruption, collusion and nepotism, makes efficient use of the
Supreme Advisory Council, minimizing, therefore, the need to set
up noninstitutional ad-hoc teams/working groups.
According to competent sources, speaker of the People's
Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives has been
consulted about the Supreme Advisory Council's 45 members, whose
appointment is based on a presidential decree, However, to a
layman like me, in the present era of reform, it is necessary to
be transparent about someone's election to a state's high
institution like the Supreme Advisory Council. In this respect,
classification and criteria must be laid down for someone to be
eligible for membership to the Supreme Advisory Council.
In the present era of reform, members of the Supreme Advisory
Council should be made up of carefully selected people and not
just individuals with their own personal ambitions or those
seeking only prestige and social status.
Obviously, in the era of the Reform and Development Cabinet,
membership of the Supreme Advisory Council should not be extended
to people with questionable national integrity and moral/ethical
commitments. If you are not ready to assume your position, be
ready to withdraw. This attitude will ensure that in the present
era of reform we will experience national awakening, social
progress and community welfare.
H. BUDHIMAN N. BHAKTI
Bandung, West Java