Room for change

Room for change

From Rakyat Merdeka

"There is (plenty of) room for change" is all we have been expecting to hear from our President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid. That was part of the proposals forwarded to the President by the Coordinating Minister for Social and Political Affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, recently for and on behalf of the Cabinet, by way of response to the second memorandum of censure from the House of Representatives. The President's willingness, if any, will soon be announced to facilitate the needed meeting between himself, the Vice President and members of the political elite to reach a consensus on the format of changes commonly desired.

The proposals are something most needed in order to put an end to the current political uncertainty.

The problem is whether or not the President will soon address his people and indicate his willingness to make changes we all have been expecting. If, in the near future, the President did so, then the Vice President and other members of the political elite would have to sit together to reach a consensus on the format of changes. This should ensure a win-win solution, if the format included an agreed delegation of presidential authority to Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The worry is that the Palace might not comprehend fully the proposals because it could simply come up with its own, beyond the knowledge of the Vice President, ministers and members of the political elite.

It is our hope that the presidential circle will actively participate in creating an atmosphere that contributes to the President's prudence in arriving at changes suitable for the needs of the people and the country.

I do believe the President, Vice President and the political elite still have a high commitment to the safety of the people and the country.

A. YANI WAHID

Jakarta