The case for gradual reform

The economic crisis engulfing our nation has prompted a number of Indonesian politicians and economists to raise the question of the need for political reform. On this subject, Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo was quoted as saying a while ago that political reform should be achieved in stages and in step with society's readiness to accept differing opinions.

According to the minister, who some time ago startled the public by remarking that in Indonesia both society and its leaders were ailing: "If political reform is carried out while people are not yet ready to accept diverging opinions, jolts could occur."

As we see the situation, it would be better to implement reform in stages, since it is completely different from revolution. Siswono still has to clarify his idea of what form those reforms should take, what should be reformed first and what the following stages should be.

As for revolution, this is probably a notion that we do not have to fear. After all, even Amien Rais, who not long ago called for people to support his candidacy for the presidency, has expressed an abhorrence of violence.

-- Merdeka, Jakarta