The race among parties

The race among parties

The reform movement has been fighting for its life amid
increasing uncertainties. To certain groups of students, the
reform movement has been dead, thus they urge President Megawati
Soekarnoputri and Vice President Hamzah Haz to resign for failing
to maintain the spirit of reform.

However, amid the lack of reform spirit, a couple of parties
have been able to buck the skepticism -- the United Development
Party (PPP) and Golkar Party.

The two parties have opened themselves to the public for
membership. PPP for instance, has invited those willing to be
members of the legislative body representing the Islamic-based
party.

Golkar, cornered by certain quarters, has claimed to be the
most prepared for reforms by recruiting its presidential nominee
through a convention.

Is it wrong for parties not to open themselves to outsiders
to be nominated for president? Of course not, as it is an
agreement that has to be appreciated.

However, both PPP and Golkar have shown the courage to change.
One of the reasons why reform is fading away is that the elite
group lack the courage to make sacrifices.

It is not enough for PPP and Golkar to race in inviting
outsiders to presidential nomination, to prove that they are
reformists.

Old and new parties are faced with the question on the
willingness of their leaders to leave their positions in the
party once they are elected as public officials.

If party leaders are daring enough to do that, they will do a
good turn for this nation's life. -- Media Indonesia, Jakarta

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Otherop-school-buildings-destroyed
Destroying school buildings unacceptable
JP/6/

Destroying school buildings unacceptable

Since the military offensive was launched on Monday, at least
183 schools have reportedly been torched and destroyed in the
restive province of Aceh.

We were informed that it was the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) that
was behind the destruction, but GAM apparently believes that the
schools had been incinerated by the government to spread its
propaganda to the students.

The tragedy has forced students, including those who were
scheduled to take their final examinations, to give up their
education for the time being.

Many of the students burst into tears upon seeing their ruined
school in flames. Gone was the place where they prepared for
their futures and developed their social skills.

The reconstruction of the schools will take anywhere from six
months to a year, during which time the students' educational
careers would be interrupted.

We don't have any idea as to why schools were targeted, but we
do believe that not a single citizen in the country wants the
younger generation to lose the opportunity to build their
futures.

The destruction of the schools is obviously not to be
tolerated, so we demand that the security authorities protect
other schools from possible attacks.

The integrated (military) operation, including the
humanitarian aid and law enforcement operations, must go ahead.

We do hope that the violence will end soon, and that security
and peace in Aceh can be established.

It is impossible to develop the future without security and
peace.

-- Kompas, Jakarta

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Otherop-airport-access
Blocking access to the airport
JP/6/

Blocking access to the airport

PT Angkasa Pura II, the company that manages Soekarno-Hatta
International Airport, has the legal right to close the M1 gate
on the public road leading to the airport for security reasons.

However, the road where the M1 gate is located also functions
as a shortcut for motorists who need to go to the area
surrounding the airport. For those who work in North and West
Jakarta, too, the M1 gate has been very convenient.

The M1 gate was erected especially to help those who work and
conduct daily business in the airport complex. Ojek, or
motorcycle taxi drivers, have been operating near the gate since
then.

However, the generosity of the airport authority to open the
gate to public has disappeared after a bomb exploded at the
airport a couple of weeks ago, and has caused serious problems
for the surrounding community.

PT Angkasa Pura II should have calculated the impact the
closure of the gate -- which has provoked anger among locals,
including ojek drivers -- would have on the surrounding community
before making such a decision.

-- Warta Kota, Jakarta