THERE’S a story that goes like this. Two days after Harmoko stepped down from his position as the “New Order’s” Minister of Information, a woman came to the ministry office. She was attractive, with a vaguely sincere smile. At the reception desk, she announced, “I have come to meet Pak Harmoko, the Minister of Information.”

The receptionist politely replied. “I’m sorry, madam, but Pak Harmoko is no longer Minister of Information.