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