Freedom vital for achieving justice<\/p>\n
Economist Muhammad Sadli, who was a minister for eight years
\nduring the New Order era, evaluates what has, and what has not,
\nbeen achieved in 55 years since Indonesia's independence.<\/p>\n
Question: Do you think that Indonesians have achieved their
\nideal desires of obtaining justice and prosperity?<\/p>\n
Answer: No, we are still far from justice, and with regard to
\nprosperity, we have reached only about a quarter of what we ought
\nto.<\/p>\n
How do you measure the achievements in justice and prosperity?<\/p>\n
If we had enjoyed justice, Soeharto would not have fallen from
\nhis presidency (in May 1998). The current political turmoil and
\nsquabbles stemmed from unjust practices during the Soeharto
\nadministration. Many social groups are now demanding justice in
\neconomy, politics and human rights.<\/p>\n
With regard to prosperity, we can say that we have enjoyed
\nsteady economic growth. However, our per capita income still lags
\nfar behind our neighbors. Our per capita income reached about
\nUS$1,200 per annum before the economic crisis (which began in
\nmid-1997) but declined to $700 during the crisis. It is now
\nestimated at $900, less than one-third of Malaysia's per capita
\nincome of more than $3,000.<\/p>\n
What has impeded us from gaining justice?<\/p>\n
Poor democratization and the government's authoritarian system
\nunder both Sukarno and Soeharto. An authoritarian government,
\nusually accompanied by oppression, often produces injustice. We
\nenjoyed democracy only from 1949 to 1957, after which we returned
\nto an authoritarian government.<\/p>\n
Why were we so weak in democratization for so long?<\/p>\n
Perhaps we have made mistakes in setting the principles of
\nnation building.<\/p>\n
During the first years after independence, for example, we
\nadopted revolutionary programs on the belief that revolution was
\noffering \"paradise\". But it has now proven to be delusive.<\/p>\n
During the Soeharto era, policies on economic development were
\nso Javanese-oriented that residents in some provinces, like Aceh,
\nPapua (Irian Jaya) and Riau, felt ignored and wanted to separate
\nfrom the Republic of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Can we blame the leaders?<\/p>\n
I don't think so. We cannot blame certain people because all
\nof us are collectively guilty.<\/p>\n
Or can we blame our legal system?<\/p>\n
I wonder (about reports) that all of the judges and
\nprosecutors in the country are involved in corrupt practices.
\nPerhaps they have imitated their leaders. If the president was
\ncorrupt, his subordinates, including governors, judges and
\nprosecutors, would also be corrupt. If the president gave big
\ngovernment projects to his children, governors would also follow
\nsuit.<\/p>\n
Why have we achieved less economically than our neighbors?<\/p>\n
Because we suffered economic stagnancy for 20 years when we
\nhad political instability under Sukarno, which our neighbors did
\nnot experience. The fast growth after that period could not help
\nIndonesia's economy catch up with the prosperity of neighboring
\nnations.<\/p>\n
Under Soeharto, Indonesia's economy grew by an annual average
\nof almost 7 percent, an outstanding growth level among poor
\ncountries with a per capita income of less than $500 per annum
\nand low human development index.<\/p>\n
So economic growth was not affected by poor democratization?<\/p>\n
Poor democratization did not affect the economic growth, but
\nit disturbed the sustainability of its economic system because it
\nprovided loopholes for corrupt practices.<\/p>\n
Has development in science and technology helped accelerate
\neconomic growth?<\/p>\n
No. Even though Indonesia can assemble aircraft, it lags
\nbehind some other developing countries, such as India and China,
\nin science and technology development. Indonesia, for example, is
\nstill backward in information technology and the industries of
\nautomotive vehicles, electronics and shipbuilding.<\/p>\n
Ironically, Indonesia introduced regulations to support
\nscience and technology development. How could we lag behind?<\/p>\n
Because the then state minister of research and technology
\nB.J. Habibie made wrong policies. It was wrong to appoint a
\nminister when we had problems in the development of technology
\nbecause the minister would then produce wrong policies.<\/p>\n
Why doesn't our education system make substantial
\ncontributions to the improvement of our prosperity?<\/p>\n
Because Soeharto established a school system aimed at
\nsupporting the sustainability of his own regime. Our schools,
\ntherefore, have taught wrong things, such as Pancasila (state
\nideology) doctrines, which hinder students' creativity.<\/p>\n
Can you project when our aims of justice and prosperity can be
\nachieved, given that rough picture?<\/p>\n
It's difficult to make a projection. But we must be optimistic
\nof our future. President Abdurrahman Wahid introduced freedom,
\nthe right ingredient, for the future. We must give society
\nfreedom, so that its members can develop their creativity.<\/p>\n
Even though freedom sometimes allows friction among people,
\nfreedom will drive the emergence of ingenuity that will help them
\novercome their problems. The deliberations at the recent People's
\nConsultative Assembly Annual Session, where compromises could be
\nreached, was a good example. (Rikza Abdullah)<\/p>",
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