Saying no to

Saying no to
New Order hopefuls

From Koran Tempo

The general election in 2004, as a further stage of
improvement in Indonesia's democracy, must be totally free from
the influence of the New Order, including the practice of money
politics. To safeguard the democratic process in the elections,
we must say no to presidential candidates from the New Order
regime.

New Order figures are in general against reform and democracy;
some are even involved in corruption. Presidential candidates
from the Golkar Party convention should be reviewed, as they
mostly originate from the New Order elite.

Akbar Tandjung, for instance, is not yet through with his
corruption case. Recent news says that Wiranto, now running for
the presidency, may have been implicated in the BNI scam.

I fully support the recent student action rejecting
presidential candidates from the New Order, which has been a
source of corruption now prevailing in government and private
circles. On Nov. 19, University of Indonesia students demanded
that the 2004 general election be free of New Order followers.

Students, as young intellectuals, should be able to safeguard
reforms against the interference of New Order supporters now
seeking opportunities to rise to power.

DIDIK ANDI PRIBADI
Tangerang, Banten