New Order's reappearance

New Order's reappearance

From Media Indonesia

One of the failures of the reform movement is the emergence of
New Order figures as legislative candidates, even though ridding
executive and legislative institutions of these outgoing
officials is among the goals of the reform struggle, according to
Muslim leader Arbi Sanit.

He told a Nahdlatul Ulama central board discussion recently
that New Order exponents had been regrouping over the last five
year in order to reappear in the 2004 general election.

Their move to stage a comeback has been facilitated by the
organizational networks, human resources and strong financial
reserves at the disposal of New Order aspirants. The presidential
nominee and legislative hopefuls associated with the Concern for
the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) are proof of such a revival
attempt.

This situation is inseparable from the weak leadership of the
reform movement and the lack of unity or even presence of a split
within the movement itself, which has been utilized by New Order
supporters wishing to play a part in the coming election.

Leaders of the reform movement should therefore unite and form
a coalition to prevent the New Order's reawakening. Any further
division within the reform movement will open greater opportunity
for the New Order to regain power.

YANIZA HZ
Jakarta