Time to take sides

Time to take sides

From Sinar Pagi

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto says group interests have become increasingly apparent and are infringing upon national interests.

The dynamics of reform are characterized by attitudes of aggressiveness, hate and calumny.

People have meanwhile obtained the impression that the investigation of former president Soeharto is sluggish and needlessly protracted. Both Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, and Amien Rais have issued statements that the government does not feel the urgency to decide whether Soeharto can be brought to court.

1. The government does not seem to care to understand the aspirations of the people and the reformists. They still make calculations in deference to Soeharto and his cronies.

2. The food situation is critical everywhere, street children grow in number, crime, prostitution, gambling, holdups and murders are on the increase. Yet, the government is still greedy for power by establishing a militia. It is not right, and seems to imitate the aspirations of the defunct Indonesian Communist Party during the Old Order regime.

3. The Armed Forces (ABRI) has a low response to the people's aspirations. It has openly said that it will protect Soeharto and his cronies.

4. None of the riots have been settled according to law.

The people's thoughts are stuck in face of life's difficulties. From the socio-psychological viewpoint, Gen. Wiranto's opinion must be true.

It is now up to the government and the Armed Forces whether they want to go their separate ways or join the people.

DARIUS THALIB

Padang, West Sumatra