Welcome opposition!
Welcome opposition!
A group of people, consisting mostly of young men and women,
declared themselves to be the "opposition" when they gathered
recently at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. What is laudable
is the fact that, at least as far as I know, they did not demand
or seek to bring about the fall of the government. Unlike in
countries with a long tradition of democracy, the task of the
opposition should be directed more toward correcting the course
of the government's policies, especially when it concerns
contentious issues which are food for the opposition.
This truly democratically elected government under Abdurrahman
Wahid as president and Megawati Soekarnoputri as vice president,
in its three months of existence, has been criticized for its
slow performance and lack of coordination among the Cabinet
ministers. Attorney General Marzuki Darusman has received the
brunt of all criticism in that he has promised much but so far
not delivered anything in combating the big issue of corruption,
collusion and nepotism, including the Soeharto and Texmaco cases.
To my surprise, there is presently hardly any media (radio and
television included) commentator, political and economic analyst,
who is not critical of the administration. Could it be that
opposition sources have been bribed over by sympathizers of the
former Soeharto regime, including some Golkar supporters, and
economic and political mafias?
President Abdurrahman's trips abroad, originally designed to
allay investors' fears, have become headaches for observers, who
fear civil strife and even a coup d'etat. The home scene has
become more confusing with news about a rift between the military
leaders and the President. Has the rupiah also slid with the
rumors is everybody's question.
The creation of an opposition group is something to be welcome
if its aims are to remain within the democratic confines and do
not seek the fall per se of the administration. Remember, we have
just begun to lay the foundation of democratic life and respect
of human rights. The leaders have won international confidence to
revitalize the battered economy and restructure its internal and
foreign debts. I call on the opposition forces, if they feel
defeated, to realign their forces and have another try in the
next general election. Haven't we committed ourselves to the
ideals and principles of democracy, not of pseudo-democracy?
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta