The need for reform
The need for reform
It can hardly be denied that the economic crisis is at present
undergoing an increasingly distinct metamorphosis toward becoming
a political one. In fact, this tendency had been clear ever since
the exchange rate of the rupiah against the U.S. dollar exceeded
the Rp 4,000 mark some time ago. And it was becoming even clearer
these past few days after prices of essential commodities began
fluctuating in a manner that defied all reasoning.
What, then, should we do as a nation? Initiate political
reform. This is the answer. It is true that the current economic
crisis has as yet not totally shattered our political structure.
However, to delay political reform means to allow this
undermining process to proceed and become truly devastating.
The agenda for political reform that is needed at present is
not a complex, intricate or time-consuming one. Our challenge is
not to solve many problems, but to solve the basic problem.
Therefore, what is needed at this present moment is not a
reformation of the party system, or of the legal system, the
general election system or a broadening of the platform for
political participation, but rather a leadership reform.
Some time ago we could perhaps still talk about policy changes
without a change in leadership. At present, however, the need for
both is increasingly felt. The second (kind of change) is judged
to be even more urgent given its role in generating the first. In
the context of such a leadership reformation, what is needed is
an ability to give examples, honesty and a firm commitment to
serving the interests of the majority of the people, the common
citizen.
This kind of figure would be easier to find if the recruitment
mechanism for leaders was given a wider social base -- including
especially that social base in which the will of the majority of
the people is embodied. Therefore, apart from the figure in
question, we also need a reformation of the mechanism of
recruitment, selection and nomination. The elitist, closed and
oligarchic mechanism must be changed into one that is populist
and transparent in nature and which embraces the collective will
of the public.
-- Republika, Jakarta