Statement of concern

Statement of concern

Under the leadership of Gus Dur (Abdurrachman Wahid), Let.
Gen. (ret.) Bambang Triantoro, Let. Gen.(ret.) Kharis Suhud,
Frans Seda, Matori Abdul Djalil, and other prominent figures, a
statement of concern has been issued which has been forwarded to
the Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly/House of
Representatives. Anybody in support of its contents and aim was
encouraged to sign the statement. I don't understand, however,
how signatures from all over Indonesia were collected. Obviously
not all could come to Jakarta to put his/her signature to the
document. I would like Gus Dur to explain.

On the whole the statement of concern contains three main
ideas:

1. The unity of Indonesia. The authors of the statement
contend that the nation is drifting away from the national
archipelagic concept.

2. The principles of Pancasila democracy and the provisions of
the 1945 Constitution are being increasingly ignored, in
particular with regard to the concept that sovereignty rests with
the people. It is obvious that so far i.e. during the New Order
government Pancasila has not been completely implemented in the
practical life. The principle of a society based on the rule of
law is still ignored by many, and power and violence still often
take precedence over other means of seeking solutions to
problems.

3. The lack of humanitarian values befitting a free people,
relating to the general welfare of society. Politics, business,
law and security are felt not to serve the interest of the people
as a whole, but rather to benefit a certain group who dominate
politics and business. Even the government itself often violates
the law and regulations. This is reflected in the fact that the
Presidential Instructions and Decrees are used more often than
the provisions of the law. Those laws that have already been
passed by the House of Representatives (DPR) are not free of
flaws. Human rights are frequently violated. Corruption is still
endemic.

I was born before 1945, and thus experienced the ups and downs
of the revolution during Indonesia's struggle for independence,
the Trikora movement which included the freeing of West Irian
(Irian Jaya), the annihilation of the Indonesian communists (PKI)
and now the New Order with its development. I feel real concern
over the present condition of our country. The bureaucrats,
politicians, economists, and military men belong mostly to the
post-1945 generation. How could they act so arbitrarily. The
representatives of the people (MPR/DPR) do not fulfill their
function properly, and are too afraid to voice people's
aspirations and defend them. And the Supreme Court and other
judiciary bodies have become places where the law is bought and
sold. There is no such thing as press freedom. Even personal
letters are censored. Where is Indonesia heading?

Let us give our support to the statement of concern, because
it reflects the people's conscience and is a warning to the
power-holders to return to the path of the ideals of our Aug. 17,
1945 proclamation.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta