Things haven't changed much

Things haven't changed much

Since former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid was
dismissed on the grounds that he might be involved in
two corruption cases, President Megawati Soekarnoputri has seen
under her leadership:

1. The Supreme Court's exoneration of Tommy followed by his
surrender.

2. A downturn in the Indonesian economy as a whole, including the
exchange rate of the rupiah.

3. No improvement in the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's
(IBRA's) recollection of funds.

4. The necessary amendments to the Constitution and new bills to
fight malpractice related to corruption, collusion and nepotism
(KKN) have been put on hold; and the few bills passed have all
been controversial and not in the public interest.

5. The fight against KKN launched by certain people under Gus Dur
has been discontinued;

6. The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) and related
NGOs are now nowhere to be seen.

7. Many civilian conflicts have continued unabated in many
provinces involving proindependence, ethnical and religious
movements -- none of them being properly handled by the
government, the Indonesian Military or the police;

8. President Megawati is considering pardoning Soeharto.

9. Many legislators under Megawati are doing what they want to
protect their own interests.

10. Civil society through valid NGOs have no say at all under
Megawati, even less than under her predecessor.

11. The case of Akbar Tandjung -- who would have been prosecuted
under Gus Dur -- has been kept under the carpet for too long, he
has now had plenty of time to cover up his tracks.

YVAN MAGAIN

Tubize, Belgium