Veterans address ills of society

JAKARTA (JP): Veterans of Indonesia's independence struggle criticized yesterday monopolistic practices in the economy and what they said was a lack of political openness, as they reflected on the 50 years since the country gained its independence.

In a statement marking Indonesia's golden anniversary, the Executive Council of the Angkatan 45 (Generation of 1945), praised the leadership of Indonesia's two presidents, Sukarno and Soeharto, for leading the nation on the path of progress, but it also underlined some shortcomings.

The statement singled out the nation's powerful conglomerates for "misusing" the trust given to them in running the country's economy by resorting to monopolistic, oligopolistic and cartel practices which it said were detrimental to the people.

It noted with concern at the liberal tendencies of Indonesia's economic system the fact that some 25 million Indonesians still live below the poverty line.

Corruption among lowly-paid civil servants and their collusion with entrepreneurs, found among high and low levels of the administration, "is very alarming," the statement added.

Council Chairman Soerono, who read the statement, said the monopolistic practices violate the 1945 Constitution.

The council was careful in expressing its criticisms and in not pinpointing at anyone in particular, he said. "We have to be wise in our criticism ... Our criticisms may be accepted by the younger generation, but not by the older one."

The forum of Indonesia's freedom fighters now numbers only around 600, with virtually none of its membership continuing to serve in the government. The lone exception is Soeharto, the group's incumbent president.

The statement said that the golden anniversary marks the beginning of a new era for Indonesia, one that requires a greater openness in every field, including politics.

It noted that "some members of society still feel that the basic values contained in the 1945 Constitution have not been implemented". These values, it said, guarantee openness and freedom of expression.

"We should all feel compelled to develop and build a political situation that is democratic, open, stable, dynamic and responsible; one that strives to uphold the basic rights of the citizens, upholds the law and supports our national identity."

Responding to a question, Soerono said that some of those rights have to be fought for and that people must not wait around for them to be granted by the government.

He suggested, however, that those rights be won through dialog. "Sure, it's not easy, but we have to start with goodwill and God's blessing," he said.

The statement praised both Sukarno and Soeharto, listing the particular achievements of each.

According to the statement, Sukarno's achievements include the recognition of Indonesia's sovereignty by the international community, the return to the 1945 Constitution, the quelling of various rebellions and victory in the campaign to wrest Irian Jaya from Dutch hands.

For Soeharto, the list included controlling inflation, regulating the political system, the achievement of self- sufficiency in rice, family planning, the integration of East Timor and significant progress in education and religious life.

Separately yesterday, the minority United Development Party (PPP) also lashed out at monopolistic practices, corruption and lack of democracy in Indonesia in its own statement marking the golden anniversary.

PPP Chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum presented to reporters what he called the "profit and loss account" of Indonesia after 50 years of independence and found that, despite much progress, in some areas there was still a lot to be desired.

"We're still witnessing monopolistic and oligopolistic practices that are detrimental to the little people," the statement said. "Cases involving the supply of cement, cloves and flour are a few of the examples that have been exposed by the media."

Regarding corruption and collusion, the PPP said the cases unveiled in the media so far were the "tip of the iceberg."

The party said that. of all the issues confronting Indonesia today, the development of democracy "requires the most serious attention."

Without explicitly naming Golkar, the ruling political group, the statement stressed that political system and structure that permitted the strong domination of one particular group over others was hampering the development of democracy.

"Now our sense of justice is being challenged. Is this the condition that the founders of this Republic 50 years ago dreamed of?" the statement asked. (01)