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