Too much interference

I read Kwik Kian Gie's personal rebuttal and interview in answer to his critics with great interest (The Jakarta Post, Sept. 3, 2000: Much-maligned Kwik answers his critics). While it may not be too easy to judge his performance during his brief 10 months in office as Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry amid the extreme severity of our multi-dimensional crisis, I find his hasty replacement a loss for the country.

A friend of mine, a noted political analyst, recently said to me that Kwik wasn't effective at all as an economic minister, that he only relied on his honesty, to which I responded by asking him three questions: how can anyone in his position be effective if: 1. The top leadership is weak, erratic and lacking in vision and sense of mission? 2. He isn't trusted to carry out his job without interference and counteraction? 3. The cabinet composition is the result of many compromises with many different parties with different aspirations?

Point three, regarding the economic team's solidity, has been adequately answered by Kwik and noted economist, Sri Edi Swasono who also questioned the critics's conception of solidity/unity. He said, what type of unity were these people talking about and what is the point of it if it is intended for the wrong purposes of enriching oneself? This is a valid point seeing the current composition of the new cabinet comprising the President's confidants (read: cronies), something many suspect as President Abdurrahman Wahid's (or Gus Dur's) strategic move to secure vital cash generators to sustain his personal agenda.

At any rate, I believe the situation would have been significantly different if the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), which despite the many counter arguments was the valid winner of the last election, had been given the chance to govern the country. Kwik would have been far more effective, had the economic team been based on the party's platform with full authority and trust from the top leadership, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Kwik's integrity and consistence is an asset, a rare one in Indonesia. We have been led with "highly reputable macro economists" and, for heaven's sake, look where we are now. He has written highly acclaimed economic materials in the past and nobody ever complained about his "lack of macroeconomic knowledge." And if those economic experts with good track records refuse to serve under Gus Dur, as was the case with Dorodjatun Kuncoro-Jakti, isn't it enough indication of the validity of the above three questions.

Seeing Gus Dur in action in the last 10 months, I must say that I, as an admirer, begin to question his motive and intention in "betraying" Mega. With his regular show of "tantrums", the hasty statement forgiving Soeharto, his questionable firing of Laksamana Sukardi and accusing him of the very thing Gus Dur regularly engages in himself in (namely nepotism) by, among other things, appointing his less credible confidant to replace Laksamana, his alleged adulterous affair with a married woman young enough to be his daughter, his soft stance against corruptors (bureaucrats and businessmen alike), the Bulog and Brunei scandals, one can't help thinking that in spite of his high profile spiritual leadership, perhaps it is too much to lay much hope on his shoulders to lead the nation out of the crisis. He seems to be just another typical politician who puts his personal ambitions and interests first.

I would like to extend my warm welcome to Pak Kwik on his return to the realm of "ordinary people" where I look forward to hearing him be as vocal as he has always been, free of the restraints of the last 10 months. He will be more effective in the House of Representatives in the current circumstances. Your real turn on center stage will come, sooner or later.

RAHAYU RATNANINGSIH

Jakarta