September challenges

September has brought with it new challenges to the government including a call for a reshuffle of the Cabinet amid a depreciation of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar. This condition is seen by some government critics as heralding a new financial crisis, seriously hampering the 6 percent growth target so optimistically forecast earlier. However, due to the absence of any real opposition, the government is expected to stay in power for another four years.

At the moment there is a serious shortage of kerosene for the common people and if the price of the fuel is increased in the near future to adjust it to international levels, the government may face serious political and social consequences accompanied by huge protests.

The handling of the production and distribution of the fuel by state oil company Pertamina should be seen as the biggest policy blunder of the government. Many are asking how a country rich in petroleum can deprive its people of a few liters of kerosene.

Another reason to strongly criticize the government is its handling of the Aceh problem. In agreeing to sign a deal with the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), nationalists and senior politicians fear that other provinces may demand similar self-rule deals.

It is naive to believe that the people of Aceh will be willing to abandon their demands for full independence from the Republic of Indonesia and that their flag and special judiciary system will be enough.

GANDHI SUKARDI, Jakarta