September challenges

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