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