We want a better Indonesia

I refer to the front page of The Jakarta Post of Sunday, April 15, 2001 titled NU mass prayer to go on as scheduled: Chairman.

How arrogant and pathetic the present administration under President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is. Condoning the Pasukan Berani Mati (a squad willing to fight to death) and jihad, and using other ways to fool and manipulate their Muslim followers so that Gus Dur and his administration will stay in "power", will threaten the country's fledgling democracy.

To encourage people to die, in this presently poverty stricken country is easy. However encouraging people to become Pasukan Berani Hidup (a squad ready to live despite the hardships) and lead a clean life (free from corruption) or leading the way to democracy by being good, clean, fair and just is not easy.

Let us, Indonesians, from all walks of life and ethnic groups, wake up to reality and participate, in big or small way, in upholding true democracy.

We have no time to waste, after 50 years of independence it is high time to be true to ourselves and our people, to hand in hand rebuild what we have lost until now: a better Indonesia to live in.

RIEN HARIANI

Jakarta