Bilveer Singh goes against the stream<\/p>\n
By Johannes Simbolon<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The 16-square-meter room is packed with books.
\nOn one wall is an unobtrusive wooden plaque stating the Javanese
\nproverb \"ing ngarso sung tulodo, ing madyo mangun karso, tut wuri
\nhandayani\" (setting an example from the front, forging
\naspirations from the middle, giving good guidance from the rear).<\/p>\n
It is a Javanese slogan telling leaders how to behave.<\/p>\n
The cluttered room isn't in Indonesia, but at the National
\nUniversity of Singapore. It is not owned by a Javanese, or an
\nIndonesian, but a Singaporean of Sikh descent, Dr. Bilveer Singh.
\nThe plaque illustrates Singh's enthusiasm toward Indonesia, and
\nJava in particular.<\/p>\n
\"Hinduism came to Java, Javanized. Christianity came to Java,
\nJavanized. Islam came to Java, Javanized. That is the power of
\nthe Javanese,\" he said recently, proudly pointing to the plaque.<\/p>\n
Singh is still young, only 39, but has already written 14
\nbooks, five on Indonesia. Three of his books on Indonesia were
\npublished in the past year, contributing to his reputation as one
\nof the most prolific Indonesianists today.<\/p>\n
His books are: ABRI and the Security of Southeast Asia: The
\nRole and Thinking of General L. Benny Moerdani, published by
\nSingapore Institute of International Affairs 1994, where he
\nserves as the Honorary Secretary; The Garuda and Bear: Soviet-
\nIndonesia Relations from Lenin to Gorbachev, his thesis for his
\ndoctoral degree at the Australian National University in 1987,
\nupdated and published by Gadjah Mada University Press in 1994;
\nand his latest book, Dwifungsi ABRI: The Dual Function of the
\nIndonesian Armed Forces, published by Singapore Institute of
\nInternational Affairs this year.<\/p>\n
He is now writing two other books on Indonesia, one on East
\nTimor and the other on the presidential succession. He is
\napproaching leading Indonesian politicians to research his works.<\/p>\n
He is obviously impressed with the plaque's Javanese proverb
\nbecause it creeps up in his books.<\/p>\n
\"It's an oriental philosophy. Western people don't understand
\nit, that's why they fail to see Indonesia in fairness, in its
\ntotality. But I do,\" he said.<\/p>\n
His book on General (ret.) Moerdani, in which he argues that
\nthe man greatly influenced security developments in Southeast
\nAsia under the ASEAN regional cooperation, sold out in a month in
\nSingapore bookstores and had to be reprinted in August 1994. The
\nbook is especially interesting because it contains the author's
\nlong interview with the former general, placing the general in a
\nperspective not found in other books.<\/p>\n
\"People were excited because it was about Moerdani,\" Singh
\nsaid with a laugh.<\/p>\n
His book on Soviet-Indonesian relations may look less relevant
\ntoday following the collapse of the communist superpower. Yet, it
\nis considered the only book that completely covers Indonesia's
\nexperience with the USSR.<\/p>\n
Mainstream<\/p>\n
Singh attacks the Western ideal that places civilians above
\nthe military. He defends the dwifungsi (dual function) of the
\nIndonesian armed forces, their military and socio-political role.<\/p>\n
After filling 200 pages with the origin, development and the
\nrole ABRI played in every crisis in the nation, Singh says,
\n\"dwifungsi ABRI was only a pledge of concern for the well-being
\nof the nation and people. Over the years, ABRI has shown that is
\nnot only concerned [sic] with military matters but also non-
\nmilitary ones that can affect the unity and unitary nature of the
\nstate... this duality of ABRI has and will continue to shape
\nABRI's orientation towards the country's politics and its
\nprocess.\"<\/p>\n
Singh does not mean that the country must let ABRI monopolize
\nthe top political portfolio. Instead, ABRI should be involved and
\npresent in the core of decision making. This means ABRI must
\nalways be represented in the MPR and DPR, the country's
\nlegislative bodies. The numbers and positions held by ABRI are
\nnot important. What is important is the quality of its input in
\nshaping the country's direction.<\/p>\n
\"Thus, theoretically, in the future, it is possible to have a
\npresident who is non-ABRI. What is important is that dwifungsi
\nABRI must always be pursued and this could well be actualized
\nunder a civilian president,\" he says.<\/p>\n
Singh's view of democracy in Indonesia also conflicts with the
\nWest.<\/p>\n
\"Definitely, there is democracy in Indonesia. Who says there
\nis no democracy?\" Singh demanded.<\/p>\n
Democracy reflects each society's level of development as well
\nas its needs. Western countries needed 350 years to adjust to it.
\nIndonesia is still in the first phase of adjustment. Compared to
\nWestern countries at the same stage, Indonesian democracy is far
\nsuperior, Singh argued.<\/p>\n
\"When they (Western countries) started, what did they do to
\nthe workers? Very cruel. In North America, what did they do to
\nthe blacks? Very cruel. Slavery,\" Singh claimed.<\/p>\n
Singh is very different from Western observers of Indonesia,
\nwho enjoy taking a provocative stance. Singh comes from a
\ndifferent world. He watches his neighbor from Singapore, which,
\naccording to Western scholars, has much affinity with Indonesia
\nas far as politics is concerned. This is perhaps why he is more
\nunderstanding toward Indonesia and plays by its rules.<\/p>\n
\"I don't like to go to America, or to Australia as much as I
\nwish to go to Indonesia every time I have the time and
\nopportunity. That it is relatively cheap and nearby helps. I even
\ntold my wife once that I will probably retire in Yogyakarta,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Singh writes spends his spare moments writing with commitment
\n-- he feels guilty if he doesn't. He enjoys being a scholar and
\nconsiders himself lucky.<\/p>\n
\"A good Sikh must be a 'three-S' man. A saint (pious man),
\nsoldier and scholar. My father was a soldier when he came to
\nSingapore. Thank God, I am lucky for being both a scholar and
\nSingaporean officer,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As for his saintliness, only God knows.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bilveer-singh-goes-against-the-stream-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }