Reform, not revolution

Reform, not revolution

From Pikiran Rakyat

With reference to the advertisement 2010 Scenario for Indonesia in the future, page four, Pikiran Rakyat daily, Aug. 9, 2000, on the dissolution of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and an evaluation of Indonesia in 2010, allow me to express the following ideas:

It is heartening to learn that some of our thinkers are still concerned with the fate of this nation-state, which is still in the grip of various crises. However, if their plan is for 2010, I am afraid the majority of Indonesians cannot wait that long. The situation now is really alarming because on the one hand, the majority of the people live in misery while the political elite are deeply engrossed in a rat-race for power. They seem to be enjoying themselves at the expense of the people.

In my opinion, action must be taken right now, otherwise chances are the reform drive will degenerate into a revolution when the suffering becomes unbearable.

It is very obvious that the President's administration has failed in solving the crisis now plaguing the country. It is, therefore, also clear that it is not necessary to keep him in his presidential seat until 2004. But, if he is to be replaced now, the person to replace him must be one who is honest and clean and who also is not a crony of the New Order or the present political elite.

The status quo must not be maintained because Indonesia still has a lot of qualified and honest people to serve as its leaders.

One thing is clear: the people are really fed up with the New Order ways that the present administration still seems to cling to.

It must be borne in mind that the present political elite used to belong to the New Order regime. So, as long as they are in the country's political arena, any change in the Cabinet line-up, or even in the presidency, will never solve this country's problems.

It is now time for clean and honest intellectuals who are outside the prevailing political system to put this country in order.

The people do not need political parties. They need sufficient food, clothing and houses. They need clean and honest leaders who can lead them to a just and prosperous Indonesia.

MOH. OTAS ICHAWARA GUNARRA

Head of Research and Development Institute for

Reliability Science