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