Students represent a moral force

Students represent a moral force

From Media Indonesia

Recent students' rallies remind us of what happened two years ago when similar rallies staged by university students toppled a regime which had "controlled" this country for over 32 years, giving birth to a reform drive based on the students' six-point vision of reform. The country, then vastly devastated, began to be rebuilt. Learning from our past experience must make us more cautious in addressing what the government has done in the current situation. Unfortunately, the government's effort to put things right has yet to bring about significant changes.

Many cases are still waiting to be resolved and some have even been shelved. None of the items in the reform agenda have been translated into reality. If things are allowed to go on unchecked, Indonesia is doomed, something that none of us would be happy to see.

In this respect, as the pillar of the nation, the students naturally consider themselves responsible for cleaning up the mess. The alleged scandals better known as Buloggate and Bruneigate call for proper legal settlement, the success of which will be the yardstick for the success of the present government, especially in enforcing and upholding the supremacy of the law.

The students rely on morality and intellectualism, not on muscle. They constitute a moral force who will not deal a physical blow to those who disagree with them. They will not resort to anarchy. They realize anarchy will never solve problems but will, instead, give rise to conflicts that will alarm the public.

Students are more than just agents of change; they direct, in a responsible manner, changes toward better social conditions.

ARIE YUDHA

Bogor, West Java