Analysts differ on political conflicts<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political researcher Samsu Rizal Panggabean
\nsays that the current political conflict among the political
\nelite was not alarming, while another observer Lambang Trijono is
\nof the opinion that the conflicts could make social and political
\nlife in the country stagnate.<\/p>\n
The contradictory statements were made by the two analysts at
\na one-day discussion sponsored by the Center for Security and
\nPeace Studies (PSKP) in cooperation with the University of Gadjah
\nMada here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Rizal, who is also a lecturer at the Social and Political
\nScience School at the university, said that conflicts were part
\nof the job of the politicians. \"The conflicts between the
\npolitical elite could be useful in the development of the
\nadministration and political life. Nothing to worry about, and
\nnothing to be lamented.\"<\/p>\n
He said the people should see the conflicts in a transitional
\ncontext due to the democratization process in the last two years.<\/p>\n
The other speaker, Lambang said that the political rifts among
\nthe elite reflected a crisis of trust among them.<\/p>\n
He described, however, that the rifts among the political
\nelite were not as serious as the crisis within the society.<\/p>\n
\"People are facing a prolonged economic and moral crisis, and
\nthe feeling of lack of security. These three factors could lead
\nto despair,\" he said. He stressed that the moral crisis had
\nresulted in violence in Maluku, Papua, Aceh and other areas.<\/p>\n
According to Lambang, both the people and the political elite
\nwere suffering from \"immoral communalism\".<\/p>\n
He suggested that the national problem be dealt with through
\nnational cooperation. \"Ironically, the government has not yet
\ndone much for that. The result is that public trust in the
\ngovernment, political elite, law practitioners, social workers
\nand security officers has been steadily decreasing.\"<\/p>\n
Lambang said what the country needed now was the return of the
\ncollective national leadership by People's Consultative
\nAssembly's Chairman Amien Rais, President Abdurrahman Wahid, Vice
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri, and Speaker of the House of
\nRepresentatives Akbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
\"Strong collective national leadership is the only answer to
\nthe economic, moral and security crises,\" he said. (23\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/analysts-differ-on-political-conflicts-1447893297",
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