Democracy and motorbike elitism<\/p>\n
Motorcycle gangs are a regular feature of Bintaro, in
\nsouthwestern Jakarta. They thunder their way along the main
\nstreet rending the air with the sound of their small-engine
\nbikes, particularly on Saturday nights.<\/p>\n
However, the other day, at around 3 p.m., I encountered a new
\ntype of motorcycle gang. This one was relatively small with about
\n25 participants; but, strangely, a police car, lights flashing
\nand siren wailing, escorted it.<\/p>\n
You might think that perhaps this particular motorcycle gang
\nneeded escorting to prevent it becoming a danger to the public --
\nbut not so.<\/p>\n
The escort was there to shoo aside motorists in order to allow
\nthe motorcycle gang to pass unhindered. As it swept past, any
\nmotorist not submitting to the shooing was stared down and rudely
\ngestured at by the riders. Here was a motorcycle gang with
\nofficial approbation.<\/p>\n
It was evident, however, and not just because of the police
\nescort, that this was no ordinary motorcycle gang. All the bikes
\nwere large-engine Harley Davidsons, BMWs, Ducatis and the like,
\nand the riders were clad in imported leather suits from head to
\ntoe. These were rich kids out displaying their expensive toys
\nunder police escort.<\/p>\n
In this era of reform and economic hardship, one wonders
\nwhether this -- which smacks of arrogant, elitist, ostentatious
\nfeudalism, with official backing -- is really appropriate.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, is it not worrying that Indonesian motorists
\nsimply accept being pushed aside like flies in this way for no
\napparent reason?<\/p>\n
How can democracy really take root when such attitudes
\nprevail? Democracy and the rule of law will only come to
\nIndonesia when the privileged cease to be above the law, and the
\nunderprivileged understand that it is essential they insist on
\ntheir rights for the betterment of the nation of which they are
\nan important part.<\/p>\n
While one section of society passively submits and fails to
\nplay a constructive role, all the \"free and fair\" elections of
\nthe next millennium will do little to foster real democracy in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
Ordinary Indonesians too often see themselves as nothing more
\nthan pawns in the process of creating a nation. They need to take
\nupon their shoulders individual responsibility for the
\nconstructive development of their society, rather than act as
\nserfs who passively submit until circumstances conspire to allow
\nthem to vent their anger in a destructive way.<\/p>\n
Indonesia over the past three decades has been a product of
\nthe mentality of all its people, just as the Indonesia of
\ntomorrow will be. It is far too easy to abdicate responsibility
\nand place the blame on one man. Instead, all Indonesians should
\ntake responsibility for the past and ensure they now have a
\ndecisive hand in molding the future.<\/p>\n
Together, decide on what kind of Indonesia you want your
\nchildren to live in, and then go out and actively make it happen,
\ntogether.<\/p>\n
FRANK RICHARDSON<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/democracy-and-motorbike-elitism-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }