Why demonstrations and protests?

Why demonstrations and protests?

From Sinar Pagi

It seems that in this era of reform, everybody is free to do
what they like. Individuals and groups can hold demonstrations at
will. One can freely lodge a protest, slander another or force
someone into a corner, including the President, Vice President
and ministers. They seem to ignore the values of the Pancasila
state philosophy, one principle of which is respect for humanity.

The demonstrations have not only been held by university
students, but, unfortunately, by the elite political members who
sit in the House of Representatives and People's Consultative
Assembly. They also tend to resort to demonstrations.

In the efforts to find solutions to a number of national
calamities and issues, such as earthquakes, fires and floods, the
elite groups should not rush to put the blame on other sides,
even on the President and Vice President, but they should make a
concerted effort to shoulder the responsibility.

Concerning the frequent visits to foreign countries made by
the President, we should view them as working visits with the
main and important purpose of telling the world that Indonesia is
still a sovereign country supported by the people and has a
legitimate government. In fact, the visits have resulted in the
return of confidence of many foreign countries which are ready to
extend relief aid to the disaster-stricken areas.

Then, on our part, I would like to suggest that it would be
much more dignified for the legislators to raise funds through
legitimate means and from whatever sources, or to contribute a
fraction of their salaries, say, Rp 1 million each, and send the
money to Bengkulu to alleviate the suffering of the earthquake
victims.

Please stop making the people confused by criticizing the
performance of the President and Vice President, blaming them for
being incapable national leaders and so on. Let's take this
example: In the past, only a few foreign countries took part in
the great Jakarta Fair. But this year, hundreds of foreign
companies are taking part. Is this not an achievement that is
attributable to President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri? Besides, we have also witnessed stability
in the availability of food and clothing.

We are still concerned about the current security and order
that needs sorting out. This might have resulted from too many
(negative) comments made by the political elite, which makes the
people wonder: what is really happening in this country?

SYAMSIL MAMAL AHMAD

Bogor, West Java