Setting the priorities

Setting the priorities

A host of problems are before us, ranging from the emergence of separatist sentiments in a number of regions, the laggardness of the handling of corruption cases and the lack of security to the slowness in bank restructuring efforts and the continuing drop in the rupiah's value despite reasonably favorable economic fundamentals.

It is easy to add more problems to the list, but setting the priorities for their solution is more difficult because all the various groups involved are promoting their own interests. Clearness of thought is needed as well as willingness on the part of everyone to put together a list of priorities that can be implemented. The guiding principle is clear: the interests of the people at large must come first and any other interests second.

What all the various parties in the current political contest must realize is that concessions made by any party do not necessarily have to mean another's gain. On the other hand, if it is the general interest that is neglected, the resulting unrest could be damaging to all the players involved.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta