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