The best for the president

The best for the president

From Forum Keadilan

The next gathering of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in 1998 will be interesting to follow. We will have to produce a leader who can represent the country according to the demands of the 21st century which compel active participation in the globalization process.

Pak Harto has given the Indonesian people self-confidence to enter the 21st century. He also has succeeded in forming national cadres who are surely ready to become future leaders.

Reaction to the news of the President can be categorized as coming from three groups.

First, there is a majority group which supports Pak Harto as president. This support can be seen primarily from the ruling Golkar functional group.

Second, there is a group that wants Pak Harto to take a rest but to act as an advisor to his successor.

Third, there is a group that desires a change in the presidency. The reasons are not far from those of the second group. This third group possibly hopes that the President would take a full rest which would allow him to spend his old age in tranquility.

The above three groups have a common love for Pak Harto and have expressed their gratitude to him. The difference is only the form in which the indebtedness is expressed. It stands to reason that all wish him the best. Of course, we hope that the wishes presented to the Father of the New Order are indeed needed.

SAMIDI

Jakarta