Reform starts with oneself

Reform starts with oneself

From Pikiran Rakyat

For months, students and lecturers have voiced demands for reform at many universities. The ramifications are heard throughout Indonesia and even the entire world.

Demands comprise economic, political and legal reforms, and also a change in the national leadership.

Now, Soeharto has resigned as president, a noble attitude of a superior statesman in the country's interest. We will always remember and appreciate his great achievements. Although his resignation was precipitated by the uncertain economic situation and the demand for total reform, we should not forget that reform starts from within ourselves, our families, immediate community circles and all elements of the nation.

If we continuously reform ourselves from bad to good morals, peace will be created automatically and unity will be maintained without other people reminding and motivating us.

Tragic events in Medan, Jakarta, Surakarta and other places are still fresh in our memory. They occurred due to degenerated morals and a loss of spiritual balance, allowing evildoers to give free rein to their yearnings and denying religion, law and ethics.

This disrupts established order. As a nation with dignity, we should not lose our identity. The present situation is not our will. We must exert patience and wisdom. We pray that things will soon improve.

As an ordinary citizen who is part of this nation and who also loves reform, I appeal to students and reform leaders not to go onto the streets. This would constitute potential danger because the situation could be used by irresponsible people.

Who is responsible for the riots and all the losses? Morally, we all may be.

MAMAN RH

Garut, West Java