The summit of hopeless countries

Look at the statements made by the 114 member countries of the Non-aligned Movement (NAM) during their summit in Kuala Lumpur. They included the countries' rejection of several accusations, concerns over wider unilateral actions, the declining spirit of multilateralism, the increasing practice of intervention, pressure through wars in the name of terrorism, and so on.

The Kuala Lumpur Summit is repeating the same concerns the member countries have been expressing for decades, concerns which have never been solved. Look at the countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference. They have never been successful in making joint actions in dealing with the Palestinian crisis.

NAM indeed, is a large organization in terms of the number of its members as well as their potential. However, the important calls they have made have never materialized. This is becoming worse amid globalization, free trade and stiff competition.

Something should be done but it requires a collective willingness to change the orientation into cooperation. It is late, but we cannot wait until it is very late or until there is nothing that can be done anymore. We cannot improve the situation without hard work.

-- Republika, Jakarta

;; ANPAk..r.. Otherop-KONI-chairman Qualified KONI chairman wanted JP/6/

Qualified KONI chairman wanted

Indonesia has failed to live up to almost all its previous achievements, including those in sports. The country once enjoyed a glorious era in badminton. Now its rivals have emerged as new powers and all that Indonesia has now is simply the remnants of the past.

Against this background, some figures are competing to chair the institution that is most responsible for the development of Indonesian sports -- the National Sports Committee (KONI).

Four of the contestants are Sutiyoso, Agum Gumelar, Arie Sudewo and Luhut B. Pandjaitan -- all retired Army generals.

It seems that only Luhut and Arie Sudewo would have enough time to manage KONI, because they have no permanent position in government institutions. Sutiyoso, chairman of the Indonesian Basketball Association (PB Perbasi), is Jakarta governor and Agum, current chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), is the minister of transportation.

In basketball, Sutiyoso has made no notable achievement. He should concentrate more on his job as Jakarta governor, so as to handle the flooding better.

Agum has also failed to prove himself in football administration. As a minister he has yet to score a remarkable success, so concentrating on his ministerial job would be better for him.

The KONI chairperson should be a figure with good vision and courage to focus properly on the priorities in his or her agenda. He or she must be aware that not all sports are suited to the physique of Indonesian people.

It is impossible (for KONI) to achieve well in all sports.

The most important thing is that a figure who was too ambitious for the post, regardless of achievements, would not be fit to lead KONI.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta