Priorities of the new govt

Priorities of the new govt

The list of priorities deserving immediate and full attention
from the new administration under President Megawati and Vice
President Hamzah Haz seems endless, although admittedly the
economy should be the number one problem to be tackled.

The less fortunate, in particular the poor section of
the population, estimated to be about 30 percent to 40 percent in
total, have reason to be optimistic that their welfare will
improve shortly. The main reason is the present Vice President,
who once served under former president Abdurrahman Wahid as
coordinating minister for people's welfare and poverty
eradication.

Poverty certainly did not vanish in the few months before he
was dismissed. Being a vice president, Hamzah Haz certainly will
have other duties and responsibilities to shoulder since he is
expected to coordinate and supervise the activities of other
ministers in the Cabinet.

It would be in accordance with the miserable conditions of
many people in many regions who are still suffering due to a lack
of the most basic human needs (there has been reports of starving
people in some parts of the country), if the Vice President now
spends more time and energy concentrating on solving such
problems.

He can delegate his executive power in this respect to the
ministers technically in charge with the task, or directly
instruct the various provincial governors to that effect. If the
regions are worthy of having the regional autonomy they have so
strongly demanded, then they should be pressed to solve the
problems first because the funds have been made available by the
central government and international institutes, including UN
agencies.

The new government must base its activities on a concrete and
mutually agreed, financially sound poverty eradication program
and not just because of religious morality or political party
considerations. The power in the hands of the new executives
should be used for rescuing the most unfortunate people, which
means releasing the poorest sections of the population from the
curse of poverty and deprivation.

The new Vice President should be the first to acknowledge this
shortcoming in society; he is the best equipped to settle the
problem nationwide.

Celebrations following their elections to a higher office like
president, vice president, governor and mayor, and the like, is
justifiable only if the new executives are genuinely honest and
determined to work for the greater well-being of other citizens.

Poverty eradication is the responsibility of all Cabinet
members, but to single out Vice President Hamzah Haz for the
noble assignment seems reasonable and fair. After all, he has
enough valuable experience and wisdom. Now he only needs greater
political will.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta