Security is top priority
Security is top priority
As far as I can remember we Indonesians have never before
lived in such an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Not even
during the Japanese occupation, nor during the time of the fierce
war of independence against the Dutch colonialists, nor during
the U.S. supported PRRI/PERMESTA rebellion and the latest
communist uprising have the people been so affected by fear and
uncertainty. These days you don't know what is going to happen
tomorrow to you and to your family, to the nation or to the
country. It is like living in a jungle of lawlessness full of
barbaric acts.
The latest fashion is bombing targeted at government offices,
foreign embassies and international organizations, which are
trying to help and ease tension in our country.
If peace can be restored, confidence will come back, the
confidence of the Indonesian people in the government, and
confidence from the outside world. If law prevails, peace and
order will be maintained and the people can control themselves
and live according to the rules.
The government is well aware of this and drastic steps have
been taken, among others removing weak officials from their
posts. Another positive step is that Jakarta has planned a month-
long crackdown on criminals called the Jaya Mandiri Operation,
which focuses particularly on the possession of fire arms,
explosive devices and drugs (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 22, 2000).
This is a good step in the right direction of restoring law
and order. High government officials and political party elites
should contribute in the efforts of bringing back a calm and
peaceful society and refrain from making unnecessary (let alone
confusing) statements and comments. This is not the time for
trying to be popular. This is the time to forge unity,
cooperation and efforts in restoring peace.
In this comprehensive shake up, the government should embrace
the non-governmental organizations, which are sincerely trying to
help the government for the sake of the people. In my modest
opinion, students in particular can play a dominant and decisive
role in this endeavor.
The students are educated and can therefore control their
emotions and let logic and sense guide them. They will not easily
be controlled by destructive elements who want to misuse them for
their own goals. The students have courage. So why don't we
embrace the students and ask them to support the government in
restoring peace and order. One thing they can do in helping is to
stop all kinds of demonstrations. With their intellectual
capacity and political knowledge they can discuss all kinds of
problems without resorting to violent demonstrations. They can
organize meetings and iron out differences in a true democratic
atmosphere.
The struggle to improve the life of our nation continues, but
the method used is different, more mature and civilized. So I
appeal to the students to think this over because the common
people are suffering mentally and physically, and the students
can help stop all these sufferings and bring the real aims of
reform to the surface.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta