This year's independence day

To some, freedom tastes sweet, to others, it tastes bitter (civil strife), but for most, it does not matter how it tastes as long as they can enjoy and see the flame of eternal (read national) freedom.

The month of August is considered to be of special bliss to the people of Indonesia because on Aug. 17, 54 years ago, national independence was proclaimed, not without many sacrifices of blood, sweat and a loss of lives and properties.

The people had withstood the storm and turbulence that guided democracy (under the first president), and the New Order's pseudo democracy (under the second president), plus the so-called reformist administration (under the third president). And yet the fruit that should have grown on the tree of independence in the form of democracy "by the people and for the people" has remained an illusion. Think of the General Elections Commission affair!

The latest experiment and experience was the June 7, 1999 general election, to be written in history books as the first truly free, fair and most democratic (planned to be without coercion, pressure and threats), though feared to end inconclusively, although the nationalists did get the upper hand.

For the common people and the majority of the have-nots, and more so for those living under the poverty line, the choice of a president, seen officially as a culmination of the success of the latest democratic experiment, remains a symbolic exercise, only remotely touching their daily activities.

What these groups are hoping for is that the government, and any future president, brings about basic welfare such as employment, housing, health care, education and electricity.

The national and social moods for celebrating independence day this year are rather subdued, with a low expectation and almost no ecstasy, unlike the first battle cry of Merdeka! (freedom) we heard more than half a century ago. Luckily, there is no journey's end for a big nation and for unselfish leaders with a great vision and a willingness to sacrifice for the common good.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta