Political professionalism

Political professionalism

From Rakyat Merdeka

In political activities, the professionalism which must be
displayed by political activists is not just the ability to speak
or maneuver well, but also includes moral integrity and ethics as
the manifestation of accountability to the people. Therefore,
what happened in the 1999 polls and what is happening at the
ongoing General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) is a unit and cannot be broken down at will. So the result
of the General Session must reflect the result of 1999 polls. As
for power-sharing, this can be arranged and must be seen as a
just and wise act. Yet the result of the polls must not be
manipulated.

Political development in the reform era shows that many
statements, maneuvers and the actions of the political elite and
the people's representatives do not reflect moral integrity and
ethics. Therefore, can it be said that the people's
representatives and the political elite are already professional
in their political activities?

In Japan, the attitude of a gentleman's resignation is a
legacy from their forefathers. How are things in Indonesia? It is
now time to lay down a good foundation for the future of
Indonesia.

As a citizen allow me therefore to call on the people's
representatives and the political elite to show moral integrity
and ethics in their political activities. Do not simply pursue
personal/group benefits by orchestrating circumstances and
wearing the masks of reform, people, democracy and so on.

As for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan), if Megawati Soekarnoputri should fail to shoulder
the tasks and responsibilities as president because of the sly
skill of manipulation of a group of people's representatives, the
party's members should not request nor accept any positions in
the Cabinet. It would be better for the party to pose itself as
an opposition force.

RAMSES MW SIBARANI

Tangerang, West Java