Reform steps suggested

I am aware that my following suggestions are nothing new and that many have written to the media on the same subject. However, to show that I am very supportive and willing to be asked to take concrete steps, if need be, so that the suggestions can be realized, I request that this letter be published.

In the legal field:

1. Revocation of the Subversion Law, not a review as suggested by President Habibie. The Subversion Law has often been manipulated by officials to avoid correction/criticism from the people with the excuse that it creates unrest in the community. The law has a colonial heritage. If it is not revoked, it would mean that the government has colonized its citizens, and political manipulation by the government/officials would prevail again.

2. The liberation of all political prisoners.

3. An investigation into the kidnapping of activists. The findings should be published. The people involved, including those who issued the orders, must be brought to court.

In the political field:

1. The dissolution of the Indonesian Civil Servants Corps (Korpri). Then, allowing government officials the freedom to channel their aspirations to existing political parties and labor organizations. Women's organizations connected with government agencies, like Dharma Wanita, also should be dissolved.

2. Reconsider the necessity of the dual function of the Armed Forces (ABRI). Although ABRI is from and for the people, it must return to its function as guardian of the state, not as guardian of the government/people in power. It would be better if ABRI played the role of its counterparts in democratic countries, i.e. a professional military that does not take the side of any group.

3. To hold a general election as soon as possible (not more than six months from now), then to convene the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to elect a president and vice president. To prevent engineering, a regulation must be laid down that presidential/vice presidential candidates must number more than one and elections must be done by closed voting.

4. To invite nonindigenous professionals and experts for ministerial and governmental posts so that their expertise can benefit the nation.

5. To abolish appointments of MPR members by the government.

In the economic field:

1. To give equal opportunity to all groups to conduct business and to avoid making racist regulations.

2. To intensify the collection of taxes, duties, excise, etc. and to introduce regulations that impose heavy sanctions against tax manipulation. It should apply not only to taxpayers, but especially to tax officials and collectors. To oblige tax officials and those responsible for collections, at certain levels in the hierarchy, to report their wealth.

3. To pass an antimonopoly law, including the prohibition of certain workers' cooperatives to conduct business connected to the authority of the concerned agency or with the backing of the agency.

4. To establish a national audit committee that must include among its members students of accounting and law to investigate the wealth of officials, both in the central and provincial governments. If their wealth exceeds reasonable limits beyond their official income, the officials should be made to reveal the origins of their wealth. If they fail to do so, the wealth should be confiscated and given to the state in the interest of development. Officials who voluntarily submit part of their wealth to the state should be exempt from audit.

5. To ensure that commitments with foreign companies (not foreign companies owned by groups themselves in Indonesia) are conducted fairly in accordance with mutually approved agreements.

M. SULHAN ASKANDAR

Jakarta