People power hurts Indonesia's image

People power hurts Indonesia's image

As pressure mounts on Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid
to quit or be impeached, his supporters and detractors have been
planning rallies and protests to gather support for their cause.
Protesters, including university students, have been agitating
for reforms to stamp out corruption, kick-start economic recovery
and end communal violence that has claimed thousands of lives and
maimed many others.

It must be remembered that it is the people who voted in Gus
Dur as the first democratically elected President and even if
they perceive that he has not fulfilled his election pledges,
street violence is not the cure for the ailment. This so-called
people power may give outside observers the impression that
violence, or threat of violence, is part and parcel of life in
Indonesia.

The political uncertainty is stifling the economy which is
agonizing for strong leadership and confidence to put it back on
the growth path. Indeed, it will be a sad day if the future of a
country is decided on the streets.

-- The New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur