When will peace reign?

When will peace reign?

From Rakyat Merdeka

During vote-counting in the presidential election held in the
Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly in 1999, I
was one of the millions of Indonesians who was nervous and tense.
Thank God Abdurrahman Wahid finally collected the most votes and
was therefore named Indonesia's fourth president.

I thank God that Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur,
leads this nation. He is smart, a kyai (venerated Islamic
scholar/teacher) and is also from the Nahdlatul Ulama. He can't
let himself act strangely, that's my assumption.

However, Indonesia is still in a mess. Some even think that
the present condition is worse than during Soeharto's and
Habibie's times. I myself cannot say so as I cannot find the
right yardstick.

There is, nevertheless, one thing that is conspicuous: the
absence of peace. People are overly worried or concerned over
reports of clashes or bomb blasts in a number of regions. I get
confused. Are the ministers and other high-ranking officials
assisting Gus Dur really seriously? Who knows.

In brief, sharing the attitude of the people in general, I
hope Gus Dur can establish peace immediately. To live a simple
life is all right as long as there is peace and security. When,
Gus?

SANTI

Jakarta