Where is the 'golden bridge'?

Where is the 'golden bridge'?

We are nearing the month of August. And older Indonesians, in
particular, will surely be reminded of a nationalistic slogan of
the leaders of the revolutionary period, that national
independence was not the final objective of the people's
struggle. It only served as a "golden bridge" for bringing
prosperity to the people who had been exploited by the colonial
power for hundreds of years.

Since the proclamation of independence on Aug. 17, 1945, we
have been experimenting with democracies -- through trial-and-
error methods -- i.e. guided democracy under first president
Sukarno and the current "reform" democracy in which we have
greater press freedom and human rights that protect the interests
of the people, with Abdurrahman Wahid as the national leader.

However, the catch phrase of the independence movement, the
"golden bridge would lead to a just and prosperous society" has
lamentably become a myth. A small number of Indonesians have
become multi-billionaires and can afford everything they dream of
-- super-de-lux cars, private palaces etc. On the other hand, the
greater percentage of the population still lives in poverty; not
to mention the education sector. Instead of becoming free for
all, education has been a luxury for most people. Thus, the
"golden bridge" is nowhere to be seen.

The coming month of August would more appropriately be called
the month of democratic tragedy when a clash between the
President and the legislative body is not unlikely to take place,
since the People's Consultative Assembly is so determined to
convene a special session that may end up impeaching the
President and forcing him to resign. It is then feared that a
civil war might break out involving supporters of the President
and his opponents.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta