Political analysts debate stability after Soeharto era

JAKARTA (JP): The political stability in the "Post-Soeharto" era envisioned by B.J. Habibie is not something the nation should take for granted, two political analysts say.

Amir Santoso and Arbi Sanit, both lecturers at the University of Indonesia's School of Social and Political Sciences, said there is still plenty of work to be done to secure political stability in the event that President Soeharto no longer rules.

"We have no mechanism to prepare us for the changes (in leadership)," Amir told The Jakarta Post by phone.

He cited the need for more political education in Indonesia to create an environment of free and honest competition, and to instill the spirit of sportsmanship among politicians.

Arbi Sanit, in a separate interview, raised concerns about the practical implementation.

"Is there any guarantee of stability?" he asked.

The debate about the "Post-Soeharto" era was unleashed last week when Habibie, chairman of the influential Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), attempted to appease concerns about the possibility of political instability after Soeharto is no longer in power.

Habibie said stability and development would continue because all the mechanisms are well in place.

Soeharto, 75, is serving his sixth consecutive five-year term which ends in March 1998. The incumbent has not publicly stated his intention, but various organizations, including the ruling political group Golkar, have urged him to remain at the helm.

Amir did not rule out the possibility that a change in national leadership would occur as early as 1998.

Arbi said the power elite must prepare for the "Post-Soeharto" era.

They need to gather their efforts and vision in determining the country's direction, instead of continuing to go their own separate ways, he said.

He argued for more efforts to increase people's participation in national development.

"What we need is leadership with democracy, one which is ready to accept open and fair competition, able to combine the vision of statesmanship and politicians instead of stagnating in bureaucracy," Arbi said.

Habibie, who is also state minister of research and technology, said he was compelled to broach the subject and give assurances to foreign investors that there would be sustainable development and political stability after Soeharto is gone.

Arbi considered the tactic outdated.

"Investors are more knowledgeable than we are, because we have always assumed that providing them with information would dissuade them from knowing our real condition," he said. (06)