What do the panelists have to say about 2002

What do the panelists have to say about 2002

Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara, lawyer, chairman of the
Institute for Public Study and Advocacy Foundation: "I'm
concerned about the government's plan to introduce an
antiterrorism bill. Here is a bill that is so repressive that it
would annul existing legislation that guarantees our democratic
rights."

Antonius Sujata, former government prosecutor, now chairman of
the National Ombudsman Commission: "Even if we can agree that we
need to reform the system, where do we start? Should we start
with the legal instruments or the institutions? I think we need
to start with the judiciary, that is with the Supreme Court."

Azyumardi Azra, Muslim thinker, lecturer at Syarif Hidayatulah
State Academy of Islamic Studies (IAIN) Jakarta: "The portrait of
Indonesia is quite gloomy, but it is not entirely without hope.
We need to accelerate the current reformation process,
particularly in three areas: constitutional reforms,
institutional reforms and cultural reforms."

Benny Pasaribu, economist, member of the House of
Representatives for PDI Perjuangan: "First and foremost, we need
to maintain this nation's cohesion without politicizing every
conflict or difference. We need to build a tradition of respect;
respect for differences, respect for each other."

Gilbert Wiryadinata: businessman and vice chairman of
Indonesian Chinese Association (INTI): "When we talk about
cultural reforms, we must also inculcate patriotic sentiments in
people. If we ourselves do not care for Indonesia, then who else
would care for us. It is really up to us. I really feel a strong
sense of nationalism is crucial."

Ignas Kleden, sociologist, lecturer and executive director of
the Go-East Institute: "Political democratization is one thing,
democratic culture is another. You want to fight for political
democratization, by all means go ahead, but don't expect that the
newfound freedom would automatically lead to greater cultural
creativity."

Mochtar Pabottingi: political scientist, researcher at
National Institute of Sciences (LIPI): "We need to start with
constitutional reforms because they are at the apex in the
hierarchy of all laws. I think we need to form a constitutional
commission, and I fully concur with the opinion that we need to
do some cleaning up in the judiciary and promote good
governance."

Mohamad Sobary, writer, columnist and chairman of the Antara
national news agency: "The reform agenda has rarely touched
cultural reformation. We need to redefine our 'Indonesianess',
something that will define our attitude, spirit, way of thinking,
cultural orientation, character and behavior that in turn would
support our coexistence as one nation."

Mubyarto, economics professor at Gadjah Mada University and
former advisor to the chief economics minister: "I strongly
believe in the resilience of the people's economy in spite of
what other people say. Sure, this sector has its problems, but we
should focus on the positive aspects. If only we took the trouble
to study its strengths."

M. Chatib Basri, associate director of the Institute of
Economics and Social Research at the University of Indonesia: "I
don't want to be too pessimistic. I think the best-case scenario
is for us to muddle through 2002. Under the present
circumstances, we have to set our priorities. We need first
institutional reform, and economic and political reform will
follow."

Pande Radja Silalahi, economist at the Centre for Strategic
and International Studies (CSIS): "As a nation, we seem to be at
a complete loss, without any bargaining power. The problems
facing the Republic are not insolvable. We do have bargaining
power. We need to grab our chances. That's what reform is all
about. People tend to forget about our own strength and lose
their self-respect."

Rustriningsih, PDI Perjuangan politician, regent of Kebumen
(Central Java): "I'm very very optimistic that reforms will bring
people to a higher level of prosperity. For this to happen, we
need support from everyone. From my experience, we need to trust
the people more to do what they think is right. We need to
empower them more."

Smita Notosusanto, executive director of the Centre for
Electoral Reforms (CETRO): When we talk about reform, we have to
look at the system in its entirety. The system is the structure
and the Constitution is the legal foundation for our house.
Without a system that builds true representation and
accountability, we cannot have a legitimate government.

Soedjati Djiwandono, political columnist, analyst at the
Research Institute for Democracy and Peace (RIDeP): All things
considered, we are really fighting against injustices ... If some
regions are asking for a separate state or for more autonomy,
this is really a reflection of their struggle for justice.