Stable situation
Stable situation
Many think that the present government is a legacy of the past
with its dark side. I believe, however, that people change, and
learn from their and others' experiences to improve themselves.
I agree with Gen. Wiranto that we should support, and give a
chance for President Habibie and his cabinet to work with their
best efforts, and to prove themselves as the responsible and
sincere leaders with their full commitment to reformation.
In this transitional period towards the coming election, we
certainly need the president and his cabinet to put things back
in order, and restructure the country's politics and economy.
What the common people need right now is a stable situation
where they can feel secure and sage to go to work, and do their
daily activities without any fears or worries. They can't bear
any more chaos, and are tired of uncertainty.
Life has been so hard for everyone since the economy
recession. The country's economy is worsening every day, and
people are hungry. They need jobs and food. The situation is
urgent for the funds to restore the country's economy.
The IMF will drop the funds only if they are sure about the
political stability in the region. The same is true with the
international investors.
President Habibie has been doing the right thing so far. He
listens and responses to what people want and need. I'm not in
the position of judging whether Habibie is the right man, because
I'm just an ordinary person. But, I can see that in this
transitional period of his administration, Habibie is being
serious, and doing his best efforts to heal the country's
economy, and to stabilize the situation.
I'm hoping that President Habibie is being sincere. In the
time of crisis, it is impossible for him to disappoint his
countrymen and people's expectations, after so much sacrifices
have been made -- the death of the four Trisakti students who
were shot during the protest, and the students and the
intelectuals who have tirelessly been fighting for reformation,
also thousands of innocent people who have been victimized during
the riots.
We're hoping that IMF, U.S. and the international world will
be able to understand that there will be no reasons for them to
delay their funds to Indonesia. The funds will mean a lot to the
country and the people. So, please, gentlemen in IMF, help us,
and don't fail us.
When things get stable and a bit better, then we can start the
extra ordinary meeting of the People's Consultative Assembly's
and a fair and transparent election as scheduled.
With the opposition leaders, and the human rights commission
being watchdog, I have the confidence, that things will work out
properly, and the future president will be a real people's
choice.
Evolution sounds better than revolution as long as it's
consistent and firm. Rapid changes in democratization in this
difficult economy climate. I'm afraid, could do more irreparable
damage. I'm obviously not an expert, but I think democracy has to
be something more than simply organizing elections.
The reason democracy works reasonably well in the 'west' is
that it took hundreds of years to be shaped that people learned
that it was not simply something to do with absolute power, or
simply paper words. But it has to grow in people minds, so it
takes time. I may be wrong. But, I'm afraid that economy will
crash if we're focusing only on political freedom in the time of
crisis like this.
Hopefully everything will work well. Although it's still a
long way to go, I believe, however that with the unity,
willingness, and efforts, we'll have the chance to rebuild a
better Indonesia in the future.
I will keep praying for the country's bright future to come
true.
JENNY LAURITZ KHOENG
Jakarta