Criticism may find expression<\/p>\n
President Soeharto has heartened many, including the editors
\nof this newspaper, with his humble admission in his inaugural
\nspeech that to become a better President he needs to receive
\ncriticism. This invitation to express criticism is an important
\nstep in the direction of the reform that the people are now
\npleading for. But the President will need to ensure that others
\ndo not derail his new initiative. In Indonesia, it seems,
\nsometimes criticism -- of the \"system,\" of a high-level official,
\nor of a policy -- is characterized as an insult to the person or
\ninstitution criticized. The President has asked for criticism,
\nbut at the same time, insulting the President is a crime.<\/p>\n
If someone is encouraged by the presidential speech to voice
\ncriticism of a decision or a policy of the President, will the
\ncritic be arrested and charged with insulting the President? Who
\nwill set the parameters that separate legitimate criticism from
\nunlawful insult? Will the parameters be credible? And who will be
\nthe judge of this? Will the President be able to control the
\npolice and other authorities who may want to protect him from the
\npain of criticism by arresting vocal critics or silencing the
\nmedia? If criticism is forthcoming, will the President then
\nrecall that criticism of authority figures is inconsistent with
\nIndonesian cultural mores, and decline to honor his recent pledge
\nto accept criticism? Can this invitation to express criticism be
\nrelied on, unless there is concrete follow-up quickly?<\/p>\n
Actions speak louder than words. As a clear signal to those
\nwho, from misapplied respect, would shield the President from
\ncriticism by invoking penal measures, President Soeharto might
\ntake one of several courageous steps. He might meet personally
\nwith some of those who are the most respected, responsible, and
\nvocal critics of his government. There are many to choose from:
\nAmien Rais, Goenawan Mohamad, J. Soedjati Djiwandono,, Wimar
\nWitoelar, Jusuf Wanandi, Franz Magnis-Suseno, Kwik Kian Gie, Ali
\nSadikin, Mari Pangestu, Mudji Sutrisno, Aleksius Jemadu, H.S.
\nDillon, etc.<\/p>\n
The President might invite some of these new patriots of
\nIndonesia to form a special council to help him develop a package
\nof political reforms. Since the President now has enhanced
\nauthority to deal with the country's problems, he will be able to
\nimplement the most important reforms without further bureaucratic
\ndelays. The sight of President Soeharto himself working directly
\n-- not through another cabinet minister -- with a council of his
\ncritics, would demonstrate the kind of courage and commitment to
\nreform that will renew people's confidence in the President's
\npolitical and economic leadership.<\/p>\n
It would show that it is he, and not backstage cronies, who is
\nrunning the country. As an even more conciliatory step, President
\nSoeharto might consider granting amnesty to Sri Bintang
\nPamungkas, and then initiating a review of the law under which
\nthe government critic was charged. If President means to
\nencourage responsible participation in the government by his
\ncritics, these actions would surely help loosen the muzzle of
\nfear that often silences legitimate critics.<\/p>\n
In a speech in 1963 President Kennedy said, \"Those who make
\npeaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution
\ninevitable.\" President Soeharto has signaled his understanding
\nthat Indonesia can no longer afford the luxury of a laissez-faire
\nor obstructionist attitude toward reform. Gen. Soeharto bravely
\nseized leadership in a time of crisis more than 30 years ago.
\nWill President Soeharto now seize the initiative for peaceful
\nreform by reaching out credibly to his most serious critics?<\/p>\n
DONNA K. WOODWARD<\/p>\n
Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/criticism-may-find-expression-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }