Stormy weather will come

Stormy weather will come

On Nov. 10 a national event, the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) Special Session, will take place. It is the
people's hope that this very important event will run smoothly
and safely. After the session, a general election is scheduled
for May, 1999. Campaigning is usually done before the general
election. I am worried about the campaigning when considering
campaigns of the past. If formerly there were only three parties
contesting, now there will be several dozen. What loud commotion,
or perhaps frightening situation there will be in this country.

It reminds me of a description by Prof. Umar Kayam, a former
professor at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, in his legendary
book Mangan ora mangan kumpul (Stick together through thick and
thin). An extract from the book reads: "The campaign for the
general election came and went like a storm in this city. At one
time it blew fiercely with the tail of a green cyclone, then a
yellow whirlwind, then again a red hurricane. Each long colored
horrifying tail emitted a clamorous, rumbling sound like thunder
that refuses to stop."

We all know the consequences of such storms and hurricanes.
What if, instead of three contesting parties in the next
campaign, there are dozens of storms and hurricanes? We can
imagine the tumultuous situation.

All participating sides should be wiser now, after the
experiences of past campaigns.

SUGENG HARTONO

Jakarta