JAKARTA, 23 July 2005 - Indonesia could be on the brink of bankruptcy and destruction if the government does not lift its act, Ryaas Rasyid, former minister of regional autonomy, said on Saturday. "I'm a bit pessimistic as to whether Indonesia will still exist in the year 2025. The country is like a seriously ill patient, who suffers from a combination of acute illnesses -- liver cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart, lung and kidney diseases," he said at a seminar.

He said the deadly diseases illustrated the complicated problems faced by Indonesia -- mainly the poor quality of education as 70 percent of its population are only elementary school graduates. The situation is worsened by the high number of unemployed, poverty, state debts, rampant corruption, crimes, terrorism and the abundant natural resources that cannot be utilized, he said. Ryaas warned that Indonesia would fall apart, becoming at least 12 states.

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