RI's reputation at stake

RI's reputation at stake

A bomb exploded in Bali's Legian Beach, killing 182 people
and wounding over 300 others. Most of them are innocent
foreigners ignorant of all political matters.

On the same night a bomb blast also occurred near the U.S.
Consulate General in Denpasar and another one in front of the
gate of the Philippine Consulate General in Manado.

The peaceful image of Bali is shattered. Pictures of bomb
blast casualties appear on TV the world over, bringing shame to
the entire nation. The whole world ridicules, indicts and holds
us responsible for the blasts.

Luckily President Megawati Soekarnoputri acted quickly,
promising to arrest the perpetrators, expressing condolences to
the dead victims, their families and their countries and allowing
the countries concerned to send medical and humanitarian aid.

It is time the government and its apparatuses arrest and
punish the perpetrators and expose their network because our
reputation as a country is at stake. Otherwise, the outside world
will not trust us and investors will stay away.

It is clear that a pro-democracy reform needs security and
order. In the absence of security and order, it is the reform
itself that will be imperiled. Take the 2004 general election,
for example. Without proper security and order, it may not be
held democratically.

That's why the President's quick response must be followed up
proactively and wisely so that light can be shed on the case and
the resulting shock be absorbed. -- Kompas, Jakarta