Why not learn from history?

The fall of all our governments, since independence, have been prompted by their abuse of the public's aspirations. It was the Sept. 30 movement (G30S) and the involvement of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) -- cursed by the people -- that brought the Old Order down.

The New Order regime crashed because it was not responsive enough to public demands for civilian supremacy. The next government had to "release" East Timor and subsequently got Indonesia labeled a colonialist country, which is in direct contradiction to the preamble of the 1945 Constitution, which clearly states Indonesia's stance against colonialism.

The next government's wish to open diplomatic relations with Israel was not well received by most of the country's Muslims. From here onward, various efforts to remove the president were exerted, starting from issues on his health, the misuse of funds and so forth.

The current government is also being tested. Will it be able to accommodate public aspirations? The news about the government's wish to send military troops to Afghanistan to join the United Nations force is not well received by religious nationalists who intend to help the people of Afghanistan in their fight against imperialism in all its forms.

The government's attitude is considered less sympathetic toward the mysterious death of the charismatic Papuan leader, Theys Hiyo Eluay, which has been linked to the military.

The following are just a few of the long list of abuses of the people's aspirations: Rampant corruption, collusion and nepotism. The special committee on Buloggate II that has yet to exist. The paralyzed law enforcement. The warm embrace given to Tommy Soeharto by the city police chief that made it look like a staged arrest. The rise in various rates -- placing further costs on the already burdened public -- approved by the House of Representatives (DPR), whose members were involved in a brawl, though not for defending or representing the public's aspirations.

As all these are the stumbling blocks for any government, my suggestion is to just read our history and learn from it. This will be reflected in the future by the voice of the electorate in the coming election.

SUKANTO

Jakarta