Proposal for reconciliation

We welcome Golkar's proposal to immediately reach a national consensus. But the problem is not that simple because Golkar itself is seen to have its own troubles. On the other hand the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) as the winner of the general election does not have a single majority.

Besides, the 1945 Constitution is an old product (the Sukarno era) and has not been amended, and there are also the regional representatives and the group representatives.

Women's voices are not represented in all political forces, although PDI Perjuangan's presidential candidate is a woman, and the 30 percent seat quota for women at the House of Representatives (DPR) has not been attained. Matters of culture have not been the subject of studies and political parties' campaigns. There is also the ongoing debate in Muslim political parties on women presidents, a matter that is not in line with Article 27, paragraph 1, of the 1945 Constitution. It is still sectarian and gives precedence to group interests. It causes disunity in the Muslim community. All that despite the fact that women form the majority of the Indonesian population. Cohesion and unity of the nation without democracy for women's thoughts will not be realized, likewise within the Muslim community. A sovereign people should logically involve women.

The political parties have not touched on the reality of the nation's life and have not enlightened the nation. The imposition of wills is still visible. There is no fair competition. This is the cause for the endless problems. Therefore, there must be somebody who can bring together the winning political parties in the general election for a national consensus. We hereby state our readiness to act as coordinator, to bridge the communication among the political parties. Our function in the central axis, taking an independent position (we were there before Gus Dur), aims at peace and unity. This endeavor should be the joint concern of the political elite for reconciliation. They should be aware in a sportsmanlike manner of the shortcomings and advantages of each in order not to sharpen the conflicts to make a success of the 1999 General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly. In a crisis, the biggest victims are women and children. Measures should be taken to prevent the nation from falling into a worse crisis that might lead to the nation's disintegration.

R.A. BERAR FATHIA

Women's Alliance

and Indonesian National Partnership

Bekasi, West Java