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