'IT was better when Sukarno was here,' said Achmad, gesturing to the white edifice of the Istana Merdeka, the presidential palace. 'He was for the people.' Mr Achmad is a Jakarta taxi driver, one of a post-war generation of Indonesians who have known only two presidents - the flamboyant Sukarno who ruled from independence until 1965, and President Suharto.
Today Mr Suharto marks the 30th birthday of his so-called New Order Government. But even as the media dutifully harps on his considerable achievements, it is clear Mr Achmad and many other Indonesians would like to see a third president.
Intellectuals are growing weary of a political climate characterised by tight control and a lack of transparency and people are tired of official corruption and the wealth gap.
The new order began when, on this day in 1966, a beleaguered president Sukarno signed the Letter of Order.
On paper, this gave Mr Suharto, then the little-known head of the Army's strategic command, authority to end the political chaos gripping the country following an abortive communist coup. It became a ticket to power.
Mr Suharto reined in inflation, foreign debt and food shortages and set up the market economy.
