Opposition forces

The passing of the 2000 state budget by the House of Representatives should be seen as a historic milestone in the country's democratic life. Nobody has really expressed satisfaction with the allocations for the respective segments of development.

Some optimism stems from the increase in the price of crude oil by US$2 per barrel, perhaps more in the international market which may serve as a bonanza.

One may now expect that democratization can proceed smoothly though with some uneasiness still lingering among the new power holders and politicians.

Still, there are subtle opposition forces at play wishing nothing less than the fall of the entire Abdurrahman Wahid cabinet or the resignation of a single minister.

A member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle in government, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry, Kwik Kian Gie, has been singled out for attack, so it seems, whenever he shows a fraction of weakness.

If the minister succumbs to attacks involving his past business deals or involving members of his family, he will disappoint many and they will consider him lacking in qualities needed for a wise statesman and tough political leader.

As a staunch critic of the former undemocratic regimes when he knew what best to do, he should place his political career above any other interests or considerations.

Like in chess, he must have the courage to sacrifice the strongest asset, the queen, if a nobler goal is to be achieved.

Despite the apparent "peace and harmony" in the government, the subtle but stubborn forces of the opposition are still at play, utilizing every possible intrigue aimed at unseating certain personalities and replacing them with their own connections.

The resignation of the minister would mean the defeat of democracy. The fire of democracy has just been lit. Any personal sacrifice is not too great or too costly to keep it burning.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta