Democracy indicators 'remain poor': Demos<\/p>\n
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was democratically
\nelected, indicators of democracy in the country have remained
\npoor, a human rights group says.<\/p>\n
In a statement to mark Susilo's first year in office, the
\nInstitute for Studies on Democracy and Civilian rights (Demos)
\nsaid on Wednesday that the democratic election of Susilo and his
\nrunning mate Jusuf Kalla did not ensure clean, accountable and
\ntransparent governance.<\/p>\n
The current government, Demos said, had been no different from
\nprevious post-New Order administrations, with most respondents it
\nsurveyed giving a thumbs down to the development of democracy in
\nthe country, especially the recognition of civilians rights,
\npolitical freedom, socio-economic rights and people's
\nrepresentation, not to mention law enforcement and security
\nconditions.<\/p>\n
Demos executive director A.E. Priyono claimed that for many
\npeople, political developments might be moving in the right
\ndirection as people enjoy more freedoms.<\/p>\n
\"But such a perception is myopic and political development
\nwill become an illusion for the majority of people at the
\ngrassroots level unless the rule of law is upheld, civilian
\nsupremacy over the military is implemented, an independent
\njudiciary system is guaranteed and the people's social and
\neconomic rights are respected,\" Priyono said.<\/p>\n
He said all of the post-New Order governments had neglected
\nthe fulfillment of people's social and economic rights and the
\ncondition had been worsening over the past year.<\/p>\n
\"Discontent with the unfulfilled people's rights to
\nemployment, health and social security had risen to 97 percent in
\na mini survey we conducted in August, up from 82 percent we found
\nin the two previous surveys in 2003 and 2004,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The latest survey also shows that 90 percent of respondents
\nare dissatisfied with the government's poor performance in
\nupholding the rule of law and combating power abuse and
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
\"Two general elections since 1999 were held to form a
\ndemocratic government, but our surveys discovered that more than
\n80 percent of respondents said they were disappointed with
\npolitical parties for failing to act appropriately on their
\nconstituents' aspirations, while vote-buying was rampant in the
\nlocal administrative elections,\" he alleged.<\/p>\n
There have been many institutions established to support
\ndemocracy, but most still lack accountability, lack transparency
\nand are involved in corruption.<\/p>\n
\"Even worse, bribery has now marred the court system,\" he
\nsaid, referring to a bribery case involving the Supreme Court,
\nwhich the Corruption Eradication Commission is currently
\ninvestigating.<\/p>\n
He added that the country's democratic government had also
\nfailed to protect people from violence, particularly repression
\nby the national security forces or extremist groups, as well as
\nterrorists.<\/p>\n
Priyono criticized the government's \"neo-liberalism-oriented
\neconomic policies\", which were supported by the oligarchic
\nelitists, but burdened the majority of low-income people.<\/p>\n
The skyrocketing fuel prices were exacerbated by the neo-
\nliberal economic policy, he surmised.<\/p>\n
He warned that such oligarchic rule might end up creating a
\nperiod of chaos. \"If this happens, democracy will be returned to
\nsquare one,\" he speculated.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/democracy-indicators-remain-poor-demos-1447893297",
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