The end of the political tunnel
The end of the tunnel is already in sight and it is now possible to predict who will come out of the dark hole first. Yet the melee and the jostling continues unabated. Indeed, the price of democracy in moral terms is high. We may have instant coffee or instant noodles but we cannot produce instant democrats. The white-nosed bulls have almost reached 40 percent of the votes now. But to tumble down the old banyan tree, the bulls must inevitably look for similar nationalistic species. If the group succeeds in taking over the reign of government, there is no time for complacency.
Of immediate urgency is job creation. Unless the unemployment problem is addressed quickly and correctly there will be no social tranquility, let alone social justice. New industries must be opened to boost export. Also, it will be a task of the new administration to see to it that the reform process does not get bogged down by committing the same mistakes and allowing for corrupt mentality to grow rife... again.
If it can be said now that the people have spoken out in judgment, the parties facing defeat should not resort to dirty tricks by vote buying. Politicians and statesmen should draw a lesson from past history of why they have lost in the general election was because of past mistakes or abuse of power. You cannot remain unperturbed and indifferent. Once you belong to a mafia you will continue to be seen as part of the mafia. Though politicians have a "thick hide", if they profess to be religious, they must repent and not create new sins or new lies just to stay in power.
Apparently, it pays to pretend to be deaf and mute. A lecturer from Yogyakarta, for instance, contends that the incumbent administration is in a "demissionary state" and that it has lost its executive power according to prevailing convention when the results of the general election were coming in and the government was losing. It cannot, for instance, sign treaties with foreign powers or accept new loan commitments such as from the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI).
Elected members of the new House of Representatives may have little political experience and may not all belong to the intellectual groupings nor speak Arabic and English like Mr. Amien Rais. If they are honest, less hypocritical and idealistic in fighting for the welfare of people so that all will have enough to eat, a job, a roof over their heads, and their children can go to school, then they get my blessing.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta