Charting political parties in a new era<\/p>\n
API, Almanak Parpol Indonesia, Pemilu 1999 (Almanac of Indonesian
\nPolitical Parties, 1999 Elections); Coordinator: Julia I. Suryakusuma;
\nPublished by API, Jakarta , 1999; 729 pp; Rp 50,000.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The fall of Soeharto in May 1998 served as a
\ncatalyst for the sudden rebirth of Indonesian political parties.
\nMore than 100 political parties were established around the
\ncountry, something which was unimaginable during the repressive
\nSoeharto era.<\/p>\n
For more than 30 years, Indonesians knew only three parties:
\nIslamic-oriented United Development Party (PPP), ruling Golkar
\nand the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), the nationalist party
\nformed from the fusion of parties in the 1970s. The latter
\noccurred because of the emphasis on being one and unified in the
\nNew Order's development strategy.<\/p>\n
The multiparty era was absent for more than 40 years after the
\ncountry's first president, Sukarno, dismissed the Constituent, a
\nlegislative body which represented parties from the first
\nelection in 1955, in 1959. Sukarno and the Army believed that
\ndebates between the nationalist and Islamic factions in the
\nConstituent would foment political tensions and also cause a
\nbreakdown in society.<\/p>\n
API, an association of 13 non-governmental organizations led
\nby prominent feminist Julia I. Suryakusuma, set out in this work
\nto record all the political parties founded in the transition
\nera. No less than 148 parties were established within the first
\nnine months of B.J. Habibie's presidency, but seven of them did
\nnot meet the criterion. Eventually, only 48 political parties
\nwere declared eligible to contest the 1999 elections by the
\nGeneral Elections Commission (KPU). The event was a milestone in
\nthe history of political parties in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
API has several aims in recording data on the political
\nparties. First, it wants to show how the real progress of
\nIndonesian politics led to an increase in the number of
\nIndonesian political parties, although it does not always relate
\nto the quality of the parties. Also, it shows the rise in
\npolitical consciousness in society during the transition era; at
\nthe same time, the group wants to become a watchdog to monitor
\nthe behavior of political leaders today.<\/p>\n
The other section in the book contains 10 essays by scholars
\ncentering on several issues from the transition era, such as
\neconomic growth, election methods, the rule of law and the
\neuphoria born from media freedom. The authors are Kevin Evans,
\nBen Reilly, Alexander Irwan, Ignas Kleden, Agung Putri, Marsilam
\nSimanjuntak, Julia I. Suryakusuma, Stanley, Gabriele Ferrazi and
\nSri Mulyani Indrawati.<\/p>\n
It is a highly valuable effort to show that Indonesia has
\ntried to enter a new era, not only because of the numbers of its
\npolitical parties, but also through indicating the rise of hope
\nin society for a better future. For more than 30 years, Indonesia
\ncowered under an authoritarian regime which gave no room for
\nopposition, a free press and rationalistic economic planning. In
\nturn, we lived under a centralistic government and in a
\nsingularly corrupt society, which the bureaucracy was able to
\nplay economic and political roles in simultaneously.<\/p>\n
Most Indonesians want a peaceful and constitutional political
\ntransition. They hope that the 1999 elections will be the first
\nstep to enter a new era of a more democratic society. We will
\nhave to keep track whether this desire is realized.<\/p>\n
The country went to the polls peacefully on June 7 despite the
\npredictions of scholars that the vote would be marred by riots.
\nAfter the elections, however, the fighting began for legislative
\nseats among the country's political elite. We see political
\nclowns today arguing and fighting for their own benefits and
\ninterests. Have they remained consistent with their idealism as
\nthey establish their parties? This book serves as a valuable
\ngauge in measuring their commitment.<\/p>\n
It goes without saying the political transition in Indonesia
\nis still in its transitional stage, which means the passage to a
\ndemocratic Indonesia also hangs in the balance. Can the country
\neradicate the authoritarian culture which was practiced by
\nSoeharto and Golkar for more than 30 years? What will be the
\nconditions? Are the political parties consistent in performing
\nfundamental changes for a democratic society, to respect human
\nrights and social justice? Can new groups in society continue
\ntheir control or, more pertinently, broaden their direction from
\na power which existed for more than 30 years.<\/p>\n
These questions will linger even when the new government is
\nestablished. They will be relevant in judging whether Indonesia
\ncan pass the crucial period in its history to a more
\nrationalistic and democratic country. Will the country pass the
\ntests to overcome its political problem, and is the new
\ngovernment really a representation of people's demands instead of
\nthe status quo.<\/p>\n
The book also will become an instrument for reflection of the
\nparty leaders and also a measure of Indonesian society on whether
\nthe political elite lived up to its promises in forming parties.
\nThe advent of many new parties does not automatically translate
\ninto a more democratic society. When a new government neglects
\nthe people's demands, it tends to resort to authoritarianism and
\nuse law as a tool to protect its power. It is the first
\nindication that we must step in and correct its errant ways.<\/p>\n
-- Ignatius Haryanto<\/p>\n
The reviewer is a researcher at the Institute of Press and
\nDevelopment Studies in Jakarta.<\/p>",
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