Editor-In-Chief Could Change Course Of History

Jakarta, Dec 11 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhyono received a standing ovation after he said editors-in-chief could change the course of history at a Nationhood Congress held by the Editors-in-chief Forum here on Wednesday. The secretary of the forum, Akhmad Khusaeni, admitted he was flattered by the President`s statement. He said the media has, so far, been considered a mere observer and reporter of history, but the president indicated that the media could play a much larger role. "That is proof the president appreciates the role of the media," he added. He said the press, as the fourth pillar of democracy after the executive, legislature and judiciary, must contribute to solving national problems to enable Indonesia to become a strong nation again. The Nationhood Congress aims to evaluate the progress of reforms over the past 15 years. "The question is, are we better now than what we were 15 years ago? We need someone to say what we have done wrong or what we have done correctly," he noted. He acknowledged that progress had been made after 1998, including the introduction of direct presidential elections since 2004 and limiting the appointment of a candidate as president to only two terms. He said while the direct presidential election system had merits and could continue, the direct elections of district heads and city mayors have led to several problems, including conflicts and the growing menace of money politics. These could be reviewed, he noted. That is the task which the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) must undertake later, Khusaeni added. "If the results of the Congress are followed up with action, editors-in-chief can really become history makers," the news director of state-owned news agency LKBN Antara said. The Nationhood Congress is being held under the theme of "Rethinking state guidelines as Indonesia heads towards the 100th anniversary of its independence." It has produced an eight-point agreement known as the Jakarta Commitment. The document, which contains suggestions to reform the party system, representative institutions and the functions of regional representatives with the aim of restoring an inclusive representational system, has been submitted to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. President Yudhoyono praised the congress, noting that it represents efforts to improve Indonesia`s future. He hoped more participants from society could become involved later with the exchange of views to improve nationhood and statehood values. "Open the forum widely for the involvement of different kinds of participants, such as academics and others. Listen to them and also ask for their ideas, as well as the people`s opinions," he added. He said he believed the forum and congress would receive broad-based acceptance if it included people from all walks of life and accommodated their opinions.