Presidential

Presidential
succession

In 1997, the Indonesian people will face two important events:
a presidential succession and a general election. The people will
vote for members of the House of Representatives (DPR) and the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR); then the two institutions
will elect a president and a vice president for the 1998-2003
period.

Those events will be a benchmark of the New Order's success in
establishing a solid political system. Do both parties -- the
people and the government -- have an identical perception of
democracy yet?

Having discussed succession since the beginning of this year,
I think we are in the process of disentangling our feudal
heritage in a gradual manner, and working towards democracy.

Succession, indeed, is a sensitive issue because if we do not
manage it well, it will become a source of discord in this nation
with hundreds of different tribes, languages and ethnic groups as
well as many religions.

Indonesia has maintained its freedom for almost 50 years. It
is about time for the people and government to be mature in their
relationship and to have a similar interpretation of the state
ideology Pancasila and the Constitution. We all should learn to
set aside our vested interests for the sake of our country and
nation.

In this era of openness, all parties -- the people, the
government and the three political parties -- must uphold
political ethics and stop all kind of malpractice, such as
collusion between businessmen, government officials and political
parties.

It is important for the Armed Forces (ABRI) to play its role
as a neutral mediator, with its primary concern being protecting
the interests of the people.

If we overlook these factors, an explosion of public anger and
frustration could destroy everything we have developed for years
in this country. And, indeed, this is very dangerous for the
unity and stability of Indonesia.

ADRI ISTAMBUL LINGGA GAYO

Cikeruh, West Java