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