Reform coming to Indonesia

Reform coming to Indonesia

Until his removal from office following a coup attempt 30
years ago, Indonesia's first president, the charismatic Sukarno,
was a living symbol of the country's fight against imperialism.

A great nationalist, he ironically brought his country to the
brink of economic and political disaster before dying a lonely
death in 1970, stripped of all his power.

As Indonesia celebrated 50 years of independence on Aug. 17,
the name Sukarno sadly was nowhere to be heard.

But the keynote surrounding his departure from the political
stage, following an alleged communist takeover bid, is recalled
this week with the release from prison of three of the country's
longest serving political prisoners -- Sukarno's former deputy
prime minister Soebandrio, his intelligence chief Raden Soegeng
Soetarto and Omar Dhani, former head of the air force.

For 30 years, these three had been languishing in jail as
suspected communist sympathizers.

The man who released them is President Soeharto, the
individual whose presence now towers over the nation, as it marks
five decades of independence.

Soeharto, now aged 74, is making no preparations for a
graceful exit. Rather, he seems to be mobilizing support for a
seventh five-year term in office.

This year marks half a century since Indonesia declared
independence from the Dutch.

And this year, more than any other period, Indonesians are
asking deeper questions on the meaning of independence and
whether it amounts to greater freedom.

The human rights picture is not, however, that bleak.

Fortunately, the non-governmental organization movement in
Indonesia is vibrant, creative and growing and cannot be killed
off in a fit of government pique.

There is a healthy debate going on almost every day about the
authority of public officials, both civilian and military, who
would like to see less caprice in decision-making and greater
adherence to the rule of law.

Signs are already emerging that ... democratic reforms in
Indonesia might come sooner than expected.

-- The Nation, Bangkok