Political phantoms

Political phantoms

From Koran Tempo

It is indeed interesting to note economist Faisal Basri's recent statement that the period of one year is too short to judge the performance of President Megawati as a whole. The former executive of the National Mandate Party also said it was unfair to make an evaluation at present because the accumulation of complications inherited from the past imposed a great burden.

The statement is very realistic and logical as it is impossible to demand the President's achievements while her government has only just started ruling. The various consequences of the country's multidimensional crisis are already so serious, not to mention the different problems left behind by the New Order regime, which need thorough settlement.

We all should think in a realistic and concrete manner because whoever the president is, the plight of the nation can in no way be solved overnight.

What Faisal Basri indicated was obviously based on the concern of an economist who had observed considerable diversion in the latest political developments. Politicians have so far only found fault with others, giving no encouragement nor solution. Unsurprisingly, Faisal Basri resorted to the comment that "Megawati is disturbed by bastard politicians", who are virtually political phantoms.

This situation causes public fear. If our politicians have the character as described by the economist, the government will have no time to concentrate on development efforts to rid the nation of this multidimensional crisis. Then, when can the economy recover, and the people enjoy development gains and live peacefully?

GUTOMO MAHENDRA, Malang, East Java