Revolution is coming

Revolution is coming

From Rakyat Merdeka

Students, some of the political elite and social groups have opted for a reform drive, believing that the social cost of it would be lower than a revolution.

Now that the reform movement is in its fourth year, students and some of the political elite have again talked about the likelihood of a revolution. They are disappointed that not one single item on the government's reform agenda has been properly achieved. There is no more news, for example, on the trial of Soeharto. The termination of Soeharto's trial was the beginning of public disappointment.

Another grudge that the community holds against the government is its lack of sensitivity toward complaints from the community. While the country's economy is still in a mess, the government has raised the price of fuel. This is a bitter pill for people to swallow because the price hike has led to an increase in the price of daily goods and jacked up transportation fares.

The trials of some high-ranking government officials allegedly involved in corruption are farcical.

Prompted by this great disillusionment with the reform drive, people no longer care about what is going on in the palace or in the House of Representatives. As for the students, they are turning to the possibility of waging a revolution as the reform movement is dead.

A revolution has three requirements: (a) an influential leader; (b) popular support; and (c) a clear concept. Once these three requirements are met, a revolution becomes a reality. The seeds of a revolution have been spread across the country. It is only a matter of time before we witness it growing in Indonesia.

ZAINAL CAHYANTO, Jakarta