Political leaders told to get back on track

Political leaders told to get back on track

SEMARANG (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Rectors Forum Eko
Budihardjo warned political leaders on Monday to get back on
track by implementing the people's mandate on reform.

Speaking at a one-day seminar on national reform at the
Diponegoro University campus, Eko said the political elite,
ignoring people's trust, had made conflicting and controversial
statements, which resulted in their confusion and frustration.

"It is very dangerous if the public becomes frustrated and in
despair. This situation could lead to anarchy and chaos," said
Eko, who is also the rector of the Diponegoro University.

Eko said the political leaders had been keen in attacking each
other, and losing control of wisdom. "So their activities are out
of focus. It's time for the leaders to be aware that they are
legitimate to cope with the nation's abundant problems."

"Civil disobedience, such as violence and terrorism, which are
against democracy, has been thriving. This has really hampered
economic activities, and discouraged investors," he said.

"Therefore, the Rectors Forum demands that the course of the
reform movement get back on track. Cultural reform must be
stressed by, among other things, enhancing informal and formal
education, and maintaining educational discourses."

He added that the moral and intellectual strength among those
on campus should be reactivated and magnified to unite all the
nation's components to deal with efforts to disintegrate the
country.

The seminar was attended by some 300 students from various
universities in Indonesia. Liliek Hendrajaya, the rector of the
Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Qodri Azizy, the rector of
state-owned Islamic Institute (IAIN) Walisongo, and Jakarta-based
Trisakti University rector Thoby Mutis, as well as members of the
House of Representatives (DPR) were also on hand.

ITB rector Liliek said the administration of Abdurrahman Wahid
must become more serious in arranging development plans. "The
target of the plan must be clearly defined and communicated to
the people."

"For the sake of the nation's future, education and law
enforcement must be given top priority," Liliek said. (har/sur)