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February
4, 2005. Ibrahim Isa, Netherlands
"Agenda
for Enhancing Democracy" "Comments on Elwin Tobing's
article: Agenda for Enhancing Democracy ---
The
future of Indonesia, of democracy in Indonesia, is
determined by the quality of the young (future)generations
(not one generation only). Quite correct! But, the question
is, how to build a good quality of young generations. In my
opinion, apart of giving quality education in general,
great attention should paid to and focused on good and
correct understanding of our history. That is the history of
the political movement, of the struggle for national
independence and nationhood. The education on history by
the New Order of General Suharto, was based on distortion of
our national history, especially during the independence
movement until 1998.
February
26, 2004. David Wallis, Medan,
Indonesia
I read
your article in
the Jakarta Post and could not agree more
with your doubts and your comments. I am attempting to write
a book that covers the 1999 and the 2004 elections, as I
believe the two events are similar in some ways, especially
as
stepping-stones to what is likely to be a better Indonesia.
The last five years have perhaps shown that instability and
the lack of real progress has revolved around a fragmented
political base that has not been able to focus on the real
issues and problems that the country faces. It has been a
bit like patchwork politics. I’m sure what you write is on
the minds of many Indonesians, but the party political
system does not lend itself to the voices of the
inspirational or of nationalistic passionate speeches – for
to tow the
party
line is the order of the day. This is perhaps linked to a
portion of the Indonesian population that can be, and will
be led to the polls by those who they listen to and follow –
and that, at this moment in time, is unfortunately
unavoidable. You could almost ‘chunk’ the electorate into
various categories, many of which are relatively
inaccessible, highly vulnerable, under educated, apathetic,
ill-informed, poor, unemployed and other such-like ‘chunks’.
Is it not a question of percentages and population density
that really matters to the politicians, as one could say
that an Indonesian election remains a Javanese affair?
Education
is one answer, but that will take a long time, and a genuine
caring government is another solution that would make more
immediate impact in comparison. There are significant
differences between 1999 and 2004, and one of those would be
a better-informed electorate, be that a variable across the
country. The climate is altogether different now than it was
in 1999 and therefore this election is perhaps more about
performance rather than personalities – although many are
still led and influenced by the latter. I do believe that
Indonesia has made great steps since May 1998 despite the
chaos and huge disappointments over the past five years.
There are many rays of sunshine from weeding out rotten
politicians to the many thousands of dedicated reformists
who will monitor and report on the election as it unfolds –
this does show that millions of Indonesians know what they
want and are determined to struggle so to make the necessary
impact and achieve reformasi that will bring a better
Indonesia. It is often very hard to escape emotions in such
a young country, and even as a visitor to your shores I
often bang my head against the wall and despair.
I am sure
you will see the changes come along, which will only be
achievable if the right coalition emerges in late
April/early May. In the meantime, there will be a mad
scramble for votes, as I do believe a lot of the larger
parties are not sleeping too well in the fear that the
general public are not as silly as a lot of legislators
think they are. This is a wonderful country of opportunity,
of great endurance and of a race of people who I do believe
have come a long way in a short time – and in saying that,
who knows, they may well be on the threshold of change.
Don’t
despair – this country needs people like you – and the more
the merrier as there is much teaching needed out there in
them hills. |
