One year later: Better or worse?

JAKARTA (JP): A few minutes after 9 a.m. on May 21, 1998, president Soeharto took the nation, and the world for that matter, by surprise by announcing his resignation, after 32 years at the helm. His decision spared the nation from a potentially ugly and violent confrontation between Soeharto and the student- led "people's power" reform movement.

One year later, the nation is still engulfed in a crisis, partly the legacy of Soeharto's authoritarian rule, but partly, some might argue, the result of policies pursued by his successor, President B.J. Habibie.

For better or worse, May 21 is regarded as the start of the reform era in Indonesia. Some people might argue that Habibie has put Indonesia on the reform path. But many of those who took part in the anti-Soeharto protests say the struggle for reform is not over, by far, and that Habibie is not the right person to lead the reform movement.

Everyone agreed however that the event on that fateful day in May last year was a major turning point in Indonesia's history. To mark the first anniversary of the event, The Jakarta Post asked dozens of people from different walks of life to reflect on the past year. We asked them whether they think their lives have become better or worse, what they think of Soeharto, of their hopes and expectations and their comments on the recent controversial Time magazine report about Soeharto's wealth.

H.S Dillon, agriculture analyst and member of the National Commission on Human Rights:

Things have become worst since Soeharto's resignation. There has been a deformation, instead of a reformation. We haven't started the reforms yet, and everything has been breaking down, except for the freedom of the press and the new general election.

All the other things are much worse, because there is even less predictability. In Soeharto's era, everybody sort of knew whom to pay, how much to pay -- that was the way corruption worked. But now, because all the officials are trying to get as much money as possible in the short time left for them, this is even more unpredictable.

So on top of the breakdown in law and order, there is almost no new investment. What is being regarded or presented as new investment is just the wealthy coming in to buy underpriced stocks at the stock exchange.

Habibie is out of touch with the nation. He does not understand who the Indonesian people are and what they want. He seems to be driven by an agenda set by the people around him, who appear to be using him to make their own gains.

Habibie has succeeded in the area of trying to deliver a fairer general election, at least the constitutional foundation had been set. But he has not succeeded at all in protecting human rights; under his rule it appears that executions by the army continue unabated. And it is under his rule, more than any other factor, that the country appears to be disintegrating.

We need a leader who can live as a solidarity-maker, who can heal all wounds. Habibie has added to the wounds. He is worse than Soeharto, because under Soeharto our nation was together. He is not able to address the core issues.

From all his appearances, especially from the controversial telephone discussion in which we heard him say he did not want to turn against his own mentor, Habibie is not serious enough in moving against Soeharto.

Regarding the Time report, I do believe that there are a lot of truths in it. The country should immediately investigate all of the people involved here, as stated in the report.

All of Soeharto's children and their cukongs (cronies) should be brought to trial. That includes the people who became calo (middlemen) for his children. These are the people who told the children to make money for this project, for that project. These are the people who went to the various ministries and told officials the projects were demanded by (Soeharto's) children. The government should begin with them, because if they begin with the children there are political considerations. They should begin with those people who were instrumental in delivering projects to the children, and then used (the children's) names to obtain projects from various ministries by threatening the officials.

I do not think that an old guy like Soeharto is able to play a major role any longer. He belonged to the past. And this election will serve to demonstrate that -- when Golkar gets trashed. And I am sure the Army will no longer try to support him when there are new army leaders.

Dian Nitami, a TV artist, presenter:

I don't really care about the government. I don't know anything. What's important for me is that I still have my job.

As for the entertainment world, I think now there is more freedom to express ideas. Ideas which could not be told in the past, can now be exposed. This is good for scriptwriters and producers.

For an actress, things are more or less the same. The producers are driven not so much by idealism as commerce.

I also have idealism. I just want to walk on a straight line. What is clear is the situation is like this: the rupiah is weak, prices of all goods are skyrocketing and the crime rate is increasing. I am afraid of driving a car by myself.

I heard about Time's report on Soeharto's wealth. Maybe he is really rich. Is it wrong to have a lot of money? I don't know whether it is a result of corruption. I don't want to play the judge.

But look what is happening now -- the social safety net funds are not reaching the intended targets. I mean, if we want to fight corruption, we have to combat the whole of it. But I don't know. I don't understand politics and I don't want to think about it. Let the members of the DPR (House of Representatives) and MPR (People's Consultative Assembly) take care of it. I just want to work. I don't like reading newspapers. I read tabloids, not the political ones, but entertainment ones like Citra and Bintang.

Sisy, a mother of three and an elementary school teacher in Cimanggis, Bogor:

In terms of basic foodstuffs prices and public safety, Soeharto was better. But we were afraid of speaking freely. (I was even afraid) to question my own rights as a civil servant, such as asking why the monthly rice distribution for government employees was always of the lowest quality and why teachers' salaries were cut for various obligatory donations.

Habibie is worse in social welfare matters. But I think the worst record of Habibie's administration is its failure to bring Soeharto to trial.

If the government could force Soeharto to give back the Rp 120 trillion of wealth he is said to have by Time magazine, we should forgive him, for humanitarian reasons. He is too old to go to jail.

A. Safiun, chairman of the Association of Indonesian Automotive Parts and Components Industries:

There are signs the economic crisis is bottoming out. But this should not be attributed to Habibie's works.

Habibie has not been able to keep his promises to reform the country's economic and political life. This is no surprise, because Habibie is the hand-picked successor of Soeharto.

Habibie's administration is not serious in fighting corruption. The performance of the Attorney General is very poor. None of the corruptors have been punished.

I think Soeharto and his cronies are still playing a significant political role behind the scenes. The status quo forces are still in control.

I think the Time report is not quite correct. Soeharto and his family must have amassed much more than US$15 billion. Just look at Bambang Trihatmodjo, who was reported by the local press to have owed some Rp 50 trillion to the state banks.

I don't think the current government can do anything about Soeharto's corruption in the past. It must be done by a newly elected government.

Dewi Widiyanti, PR Manager of Jakarta Hilton International Hotel:

Personally, I'm happy to see democracy growing in this country, though it seems to be uncertain about where we are going to.

I can't say that Habibie is good or bad. Basically, somehow, there's nothing bad about him. I mean who can actually do it (govern the nation) well at this time? I really don't know whether he's really moving out of Soeharto's shadow or still Soeharto's puppet. But he has made some changes.

I am not saying that I support Habibie. But, at least, you have to have empathy for him.

About the pace of reform, I think it's quite tolerable that it should take some time, because it's the first time we can really enjoy democracy here. Everything is new for us.

I don't know much about Soeharto's wealth as reported in Time magazine. But something has to be done in regard to the investigation of Soeharto's alleged wealth. We have other more important problems to think about, like poverty alleviation. I'm not saying that it (Soeharto's case) can be forgotten. We can't, because it's part of our history. But the most important thing is that we have to move on.

What to do with the money? If the money exists, it should be returned to the place or people it belonged to.

Is Habibie serious in handling the case? I don't know.

J. Budianto Ceng, 28, an accountant at Adira Mobil car showroom in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta:

Things are better now. Public service, for example, has improved.

In my company, employers are showing greater concern for the employees' wellbeing. Maybe they are a little scared because employees are more daring. It's the reform (era), you know.

The business atmosphere has also improved. Those businesses which never practiced KKN (the local acronym for corruption, collusion and nepotism) have no problem. Those which practiced KKN are in trouble.

Habibie has performed well, although he seems to have no focus. He shows no serious efforts in eradicating KKN. He has not prosecuted Soeharto. But then, he's still Soeharto's crony.

I am not content with Habibie's performance, although I can already see a ray of hope ahead.

I am quite sure Soeharto still plays politics behind the scenes. That's natural. At least he is doing it to protect his family and wealth.

I believe in Time (magazine's) revelation. I am sure Soeharto is corrupt, but it's hard to prove, as it is difficult to prove how much wealth he has.

If we could retrieve Soeharto's wealth, the government should use it to help the poor. It's the people's money.

I place my hope in the next government to investigate Soeharto, prosecute and punish him. We don't have to throw him in jail. We have to seize his wealth and redistribute it to the needy.

Vici Henry Linardo, 28, a government employee:

Things have not really changed in my office over the past year. But people are braver in expressing thoughts. That's the good part. On the downside, there is a tendency for people to become more violent. I guess this is the consequence of an abrupt change in power. It's the price that we must pay. All things considered, the bottom line is things are better.

Of course Habibie is too slow in responding to people's demands. He is still Soeharto's crony. Everything he does, is not necessarily for the sake of the nation, but his own. Habibie's still under Soeharto's shadow.

Whether Soeharto still reigns, I want to see it this way.

The pace of reform is not too bad. We just need to get through it all, and this includes the general election.

On Time's report, I believe Soeharto is corrupt. But, since the allegations come from abroad, I am just a bit skeptical that there might be a hidden agenda.

But if we could prove all that wealth exists, then we should confiscate it, and decide later what to do with it.

I don't think Habibie is serious in investigating Soeharto.

The next government must bring Soeharto to court and give him a trial, like they did in South Korea, a real trial ... nail all the big fish. A trial would also send a clear signal that we respect the supremacy of the law.

Hendri Hamzah, 29, an ethnic Chinese and research manager at the International Communication Associates:

From the Chinese-Indonesian perspective, things have changed, such as the way the "indigenous" treat "nonindigenous" and vice versa. Chinese-Indonesians now feel they are more Indonesian than Chinese, something that I never felt before.

Many Chinese have become socially and politically aware of their existence and have joined political parties,

The indigenous people are also treating Chinese-Indonesians as real a part of the nation. Last year, we could not talk about this issue because there was no opportunity to speak out.

Many have credited the Habibie government for allowing press freedom and the establishment of many political parties. But I would not credit this government with anything. This freedom was achieved through a struggle by students, people, the civil society movement.

Habibie has done nothing. He can't even investigate Soeharto. He just doesn't have the guts.

With the money he is reported to have amassed, I can't see Soeharto out of the political picture. He still has so much clout. If the reform movement cannot severe his influence, he might stage a comeback through his children.

I believe Soeharto was corrupt, but it's too difficult to prove it in court. We could condemn him politically, force him to admit his guilt, and then and we could forgive him.

I place no hope in the present government. We've given it the opportunity and it has failed us.

The next government should try Soeharto as a warning to future rulers not to repeat his mistakes.

Agung Supriyo, 23, a political student at the University of Indonesia, Jakarta:

On democracy, Habibie's achievements include press freedom and new political parties. On the economy, his record is awful.

I am not satisfied with the pace of reform. Megawati Soekarnoputri, Abdurrahman Wahid and Amien Rais should have gotten together a long time ago to face off the status quo forces of Golkar and Habibie.

I believe Soeharto is still influential.

We should condemn him politically for all the things he did to people during his reign. The legal channel is too complex.

I believe Time's report, but I don't think the present government has the courage to investigate Soeharto.

Personally, I think Soeharto should be hanged. Political parties contesting the elections should make it their platform to prosecute Soeharto if they get elected. We should we try him, convict him, seize his wealth, and afterward forgive him to start the process of national reconciliation.

Christina Rini Yuliarti, a lawyer at the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute:

The biggest change since the resignation of Soeharto is that people have become more outspoken. They are more mature.

But the government is not all that different. President B.J. Habibie has simply followed the pattern of Soeharto's New Order policies. The reform movement is not finished.

Soeharto's wealth should be confiscated and returned to the state. It should be used to promote people's welfare.

Salam, a meatball soup trader in Pancoran, East Jakarta:

I haven't see any significant change over the past year. Riots are still occurring in many areas of the country.

Habibie has changed nothing. He simply continued with old policies.

I hope the elections will bring about changes for the better. My only wish is for the situation to be safe for me to work. I don't care who becomes the next president.

Soeharto's wealth, if ever traced, could be donated to the poor in the rural areas. It could also be used to finance students to continue their studies.

Cipuk, a fourth-semester medical student at the University of Indonesia:

I give 40 (out of 100) to Habibie's administration.

On crucial issues, including the military's role in politics and the supremacy of law, we have not accomplished much.

We will mark the first anniversary by introducing a "Soeharto Award" and holding a massive rally with around 50,000 students from Java tomorrow (Friday) at our Salemba campus.

Petrus Bala Pattyona, lawyer:

My personal life has not really been affected. The biggest change is that now I rarely see his (Soeharto's) face on TV. Before, we used to see him every night.

I give Habibie six (out of 10) for his performance.

Many crimes have gone unresolved and unpunished during his term. He is even using the law to catch his political adversaries, including businessman Arifin Panigoro. Pak Harto would have been more subtle in dealing with adversaries.

In managing the economy, Habibie can't match Soeharto. If success is measured by the price of rice, then the poor people have suffered tremendously under Habibie. Soeharto would never let his people starve just because they couldn't buy rice.

On human rights, however, Habibie is superior. But this may be because people are now talking freely about their oppression.

I believe the Time report because it is a reputable and credible magazine. But some of the facts should be checked. This is a slap in the face for the government because it can't event come up with evidence that Time reporters obtained. The government should use the Time report as material to proceed with its own investigation.

Hotman Paris Hutapea, a litigation lawyer:

In business, there has been one meaningful change over the past year: the establishment of a commercial court.

But even this change did not really come from Habibie's political will. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) should take credit for this.

The Time magazine report poses a challenge to the Attorney General's Office. But the timing of the release was bad. Nothing will come of this report because the government is too busy with preparing the elections. Besides, since Soeharto still has strong clout, I doubt Habibie will want to take that kind of risk.

I don't really want to waste my energy criticizing this government. I'll save my comments for the next elected government.

Zumrotin K. Susilo, a legislative candidate of the National Mandate Party (PAN):

Soeharto's legacy remains with us, and Indonesia continues to have one of the world's poorest records in corruption and human rights violations.

President Habibie has repeatedly promised to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotism, but it seems that every time someone comes up with evidence against Soeharto and his cronies, Habibie gets his people to go after the messenger.

This happened to Amien Rais (PAN chairman) when he presented evidence of corrupt practices in the banking sector. The same thing is now happening to Time magazine reporters.

Attorney General Andi Ghalib should thank these people for providing him with a new lead for his own investigation.

Rizaldi, 35, unemployed from Medan:

It used to be easier for people to find jobs. But now few people are investing because of the business climate, and that means there are fewer job vacancies around.

We have also seen so many riots over the past year and Habibie seems helpless in preventing or solving them. Soeharto was much better in solving such cases. I hope the elections will produce a credible government which can end this political instability.

Tarmidzi, 24, a student at State Islamic Institute (IAIN) Arraniry in Aceh and a human rights activist:

We are freer now in expressing our thoughts. You could not have spoken publicly against the government during the Soeharto era. You would have been abducted.

Habibie has failed to resolve the Aceh problem. Human rights violations by the military are continuing there and there is nothing he can do.

The matter of Soeharto's wealth is not as important as the matter of the atrocities in Aceh. He is responsible for the killings that took place in Aceh and other regions.

Tatang Acip, 64, a staffer at Jakarta's Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's morgue:

"I don't care who is the president. It won't effect my life. Habibie and Soeharto are all the same. The most important for me is that I can work in peace.

Eep Saefulloh Fatah, political scientist at the University of Indonesia:

Life would be harder with or without Soeharto.

Soeharto is not an important variable. Indonesia has piles of problem in all aspects, ranging from economic, social, cultural to political matters.

Habibie is trying hard, unsuccessfully, to distant himself from Soeharto. Soehartoists, for example, teach that politics can only be handled by a small group of elites. People simply have to put their faith in this group. This is wrong. Politics is for the masses. I think Habibie is still trapped in that mold.

I believe we would be in a bigger mess if Soeharto was still in charge today. He wouldn't allow us this much freedom.

Soeharto can catch his breath, at least for now, because I don't think Habibie will bring him to trial. He has strong emotional ties to Soeharto.

If the non-status quo forces win the elections, we may have a better chance at resolving the Soeharto matter. At least a political solution must be reached.

Sastro L. Ngatawi, musician, a Nahdlatul Ulama activist:

Life is so much better without Soeharto. We would not have this much freedom if he was still running the country. Habibie brought in lots of changes, including freedom of the press and political freedom.

But people are not ready for too much freedom. We have many new political parties and political figures are also joining in the fray. Everybody wants to be in the front. Nobody wants to play second fiddle, or sit in the back row. Megawati, Amien Rais and even Gus Dur are part of this game.

I don't care who will be the next president, as long as he or she can ensure a better and more democratic political system.

For me, as long as I can play music and write a book and am free to speak my mind, things will be fine.

Habibie is standing at a crossroad now. On the one hand, there is growing public pressure for him to carry out reform, on the other, he can not offend Soeharto. His heart goes to Soeharto, but he is pushed to the corner by the public.

Veldy Verdiansyah, a student leader:

To be honest, I kind of miss Soeharto. He used to be everywhere. His voice, his face, his pictures. Now the only thing left is the Rp 50,000 bill with his smiling face.

Few things have changed over the past year, but life has largely remained the same. Food prices are still high and people are still suffering from the economic crisis. Most students don't think that Habibie can solve the piles of problems this country has.

Soeharto was a superman because he was so powerful. Now we don't have such a figure. But that does not mean that if Soeharto was still in charge, things would be better.

First and foremost for Indonesia is to have honest and just elections. And then we can talk about what action to pursue. At the moment, it is useless to wish that Habibie will bring Soeharto to trial. It can only be done by the new government.

Edy, a student of the School of Communications of Dr. Soetomo University, Surabaya:

I think the reform is only on the surface. We have only had a change in national leadership. We haven't really changed the system of government, something that we fought for during the protests last year. We have freedom of speech now, but only as far as it goes. We have not seen any real political changes.

I am optimistic about the elections. I hope after the elections there will be a coalition of proreform leaders.

Choirul Anan, an office worker in Surabaya:

I'm hopeful that the economy will get better. This is not the best moment for our country, but then we are in a transitional period. We should look on the positive side. We have freedom of speech and more political freedom than before.

Hotman Siahaan, staff lecturer at Airlangga University, Surabaya:

We have freedom of expression now, but that alone is not enough. We still don't have the spirit of democracy. People still cannot accept political pluralism.

I am not optimistic about the economy. We are still dependent on foreign aid, while foreigners are waiting for us to show our seriousness in building a democratic country.

Tadjudin Noor Said, a former legislator:

What has Habibie? Many people accredited him for press freedom and democracy. But do these things reflect his political stance? Does he believe in press freedom? I don't think so. I think Habibie had no alternative but to give press freedom and democracy because of internal and external pressures. How could a man like him love press freedom if he had a role in the government move to close down Tempo magazine (in 1994)?

And what has Habibie done about the allegations of corruption against Soeharto, his family and cronies? Give me the names of officials brought to trial by Habibie?

Habibie has four months to do the jobs mandated of him by the People's Consultative Assembly. (emf/aan/jun/bsr/udi/ylt/asa/edt/26/sim/gis/kod/rei/cst/jsk/rms)