No time to celebrate

Under normal circumstances I would have rushed to congratulate the newly elected members of the House of Representatives and People's Consultative Assembly (DPR/MPR). My political intuition, however, tells me to wait a little longer until all the fog shrouding the political stage has cleared.

For his election as chairman of the MPR, Amien Rais deserves a pat on his shoulder. But Golkar Party's support for him tasted like bitter wine. Either he has discarded his principles as an uncompromising reformist leader (viz-a-viz the former Soeharto's loyalists), or the Golkar members have indeed metamorphosed themselves into true reformists and indisputable democrats.

Another possibility is, of course, the interference of money politics against which only a handful of honorable members seem to be immune. To the casual onlooker the picture that unfolds, compounded by the flood of information and disinformation colored by controversial statements or outright political lies, creates an image of extreme confusion. The process toward the democratic election of a new president after the completion of the general election has also been agonizingly slow and reeks of suspicion.

The people are watching impatiently to determine when and how the new democrats and reformists will translate their pledges, facilities and party programs into tangible welfare, but not in the form of legislative seats or executive decrees. In a moral sense, this is absolutely no time to celebrate whatever victory any individual or party manages to score through cunning horse trading or shameless bribery.

Any new government must be aware of the urgent problems at home to be addressed without delay, with vigor and solemn honesty. Then there is international dependency for economic recovery that can only be sustained in the long run by a credible governmental authority.

A dedicated, legitimate and trustworthy new government seems to be as imperative as dedicated, honest and trustworthy members of the legislative branch or the "opposition", to use a liberal political term.

The time for complacency and hypocritical nonsense in political parties is definitely over. To begin with, I would suggest that the new democrats and reform-minded members start to brush up and refresh their English language proficiency. This is because during their term of office they may be knocked by golden opportunities to make an official tour of some foreign countries and, almost certainly, English will be the best choice for the honorable members to communicate with their counterparts smoothly and productively.

I am pleased to know that Amien Rais loves to switch to English terminology or phrases in his formal or informal speech, even in his capacity as MPR chairman. It clearly tells of his global sense of mutual concern and understanding.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta