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