Consultation matters<\/p>\n
The government should be commended for its handling of the
\neconomic crisis. It has literally bent over backwards in trying
\nto fix the crisis, negotiating with the International Monetary
\nFund, securing nearly US$40 billion in aid, intervening in the
\ncurrency market, working out a new deregulation package, closing
\na number of insolvent banks, and bailing out small depositors and
\nhelping out displaced bank employees.<\/p>\n
But as the rest of the nation waits -- with anticipation if
\nnot in disquiet -- for each next government move, there is a
\nnagging question about this whole show: the government has been
\ngoing it alone. There has been little, if any, public
\nconsultation as it introduces one measure to the next. The House
\nof Representatives, and therefore the people it is supposed to
\nrepresent, have been virtually sidelined from all of these
\nefforts as the government deals with the crisis.<\/p>\n
Very few of us doubt the sincerity of the government's
\nintention, and, judging from the positive reactions in the
\ncurrency and stock markets this past week, even fewer would
\nquestion the measures that have been taken. With few exceptions
\n-- such as the Bank Andromeda's lawsuit against the Ministry of
\nFinance at the Jakarta State Administrative Court -- the general
\nresponse to the government's measures, at home and abroad, has
\nbeen very positive.<\/p>\n
But that still does not excuse us from doing away with the
\nprocess of public consultation, an essential element in
\ndemocracy. This is a crisis that the government cannot, and must
\nnot, handle alone. Public participation in the government's
\ndecision-making processes is even more imperative at times like
\nthese. With the economy now heading towards a recession, people
\nwill soon be asked to make many sacrifices. They are more likely
\nto accept the bitter pills prescribed by the government if they
\nare involved in the process from the very beginning.<\/p>\n
Since the monetary crisis began in July, we can recall only
\none instance when the government consulted the House: by Minister
\nof Finance Mar'ie Muhammad on Sept. 16 prior to his announcement
\nto postpone dozens of costly government projects. That decision
\nwon immediate House support. Opposition eventually came from
\nwithin government agencies affected, and some of the projects
\nshelved have since been revived because of powerful vested
\ninterests.<\/p>\n
We can think of many other measures that should be, or should
\nhave been, subjected to consultation with the House since then.
\nThe deal with the IMF is one. Some of the IMF's tough terms --
\nlike ending the fuel subsidy -- would deeply hurt the poor. The
\ngovernment's decision to spend Rp 2.3 trillion on depositors of
\nthe liquidated banks, and to pay for the salaries and severance
\npay of staff of the closed banks, should also be subject to the
\nHouse's scrutiny. Even if the money comes from fresh foreign
\nloans, and not out of the state budget, taxpayers should be
\ninformed because they are the ones who will have to pay off the
\nloans eventually.<\/p>\n
The House, which has just been installed on Oct. 1, has been
\nwatching almost idly, never once questioning the
\nconstitutionality of the government's measures. This is happening
\neven as the honorary members were debating about the need for a
\nstronger and more effective House, vis-a-vis the executive
\nbranch.<\/p>\n
Given Golkar's huge majority and its backing from the Armed
\nForces faction, the government can always count on the strong
\nsupport of the legislative branch. There is no doubt the latest
\neconomic measures would have been swiftly passed and endorsed
\nwith little opposition had they been brought before the House.<\/p>\n
This may appear to be a mere formality, but the least that the
\nadministration should do is to respect the process of
\nconsultation as required by the present political system,
\nirrespective of all its shortcomings and imperfections. It would
\nbe as good a way as any to start toward a more democratic life.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/consultation-matters-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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