Present coalition

Present coalition
still going strong

In the political scene, it is virtually impossible for the
solid coalition of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI-Perjuangan), the faction of the Functional Group (Golkar)
behind Akbar Tandjung and the United Development Party (PPP) to
lose the 2004 elections. The mafia have only moved from one
political vehicle (Golkar) to a new one (PDI-Perjuangan).

The latest decisions such as the increases in fuel prices,
electricity and telephone charges and the controversial and
unnecessary sale of Indosat (TVRI) are all an insult to the
people of Indonesia who have to keep paying the many bills of
incompetent politicians and leaders.

And, lately, if you dare to complain and demonstrate in the
streets, then it must be because you have been bought to
demonstrate or it is because you are politically frustrated
(which is the case for the other Golkar camp that I wouldn't
trust for a single minute). And, of course, now you can go to
jail for your opinions, like under the leadership of Soeharto.

There is virtually no positive choice offered among the
current political parties in the People's Consultative Assembly
and the House of Representatives (MPR/DPR), so how will it be
possible for the people of Indonesia to vote in the 2004
elections? The streets are the last place where their voice can
be heard (not necessarily listened to).

I would like to throw my support particularly behind the
middle class, because they are the key to a future success of
Indonesian demonstrations all over the country against the
current government. And the day Indonesian intellectuals and
journalists really have the courage to speak out as I do now,
people like the advisors of Megawati would find it more difficult
to play around with the usual and abused rhetoric.

YVAN MAGAIN
Tubize, Belgium