The case for gradual reform

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