Reform needed

Reform needed

The urgent need for reform cannot be denied, if only Indonesia
can survive the present monetary crisis. Indeed, many think that
economic and monetary reform alone are not sufficient to overcome
the current turmoil. Political reform is also urgently required.

I believe the government agrees with the need to initiate
economic and political reform. Some time ago, I wrote in this
paper (Jan. 7) that greed was the most likely root of the current
problems. The reform package must therefore also address social
and cultural issues surrounding greed. Action is required to
nullify the adverse cultural developments witnessed in this
country over the past 30 years.

Socially there are two groups: the ruling elite and
bureaucracy, and the subordinate people. We all know that
officially sovereignty lies in the hands of the people, but in
reality, governance is almost always a top-down process. In many
cases people are only the object and not the subject. This
process must be reversed. Let the people's voice be heard now.
Let the people hold their sovereignty in the true sense.

Socially and culturally the ruling elite has become too
powerful for the people and it is always the government's will or
interpretation that prevails. The "yes man" attitude, safe
playing, hypocrisy, corruption, collusion, hooliganism and
feudalism in the bureaucracy should be totally banished.

Also, clean government is a must for this country in order to
ensure victory, success, prosperity for the whole nation, justice
and stability.

H.W. PIENANDORO

Bogor, West Java