Opposition forces

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