'Govt should initiate democracy'<\/p>\n
SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Democratization in Indonesia's
\npaternalistic society should start with the government giving
\ngreater leeway to public participation, says a political
\nscientist.<\/p>\n
In a discussion here yesterday, Prof. Mufiz Ali of Diponegoro
\nUniversity said that although, ideally, the process of improving
\nparticipation should be launched by the government and the people
\ntogether, in Indonesia the government should initiate it.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, this initiative would prompt the public to
\nparticipate more, especially in the sphere of political
\ndevelopment,\" he said at the debate, held by the university and
\nthe Suara Merdeka daily.<\/p>\n
Mufiz said the public could do their share in the
\ndemocratization process by \"avoiding undemocratic ways when using
\ntheir democratic rights\". He was referring to demonstrations by
\npeople demanding their rights.<\/p>\n
Another lecturer at the university, Djuliati Soerojo, said
\nthat people only resort to protests, violence and vandalism when
\ninitial efforts to voice their aspirations fail.<\/p>\n
\"The blocked channels are the reason why there is unrest in
\nsociety,\" Djuliati said. People protest because they are \"seeking
\na venue to express their aspiration and sufferings\".<\/p>\n
The expert suggested that, instead, the power holders should
\ntake the risk and trust the public to exercise their right to
\nseek democracy in a responsible manner.<\/p>\n
For at least the first 15 years after the proclamation of
\nindependence in 1945, Indonesia experienced a very democratic
\nperiod in its political life, Djuliati said.<\/p>\n
\"It's not clear, however, whether it was democracy in the real
\nmeaning, or a quasi-democracy which grew out of elation following
\nthe end of colonialism. Nobody can give a satisfactory answer on
\nthat matter. What's clear is that we did have 15 years of
\ndemocratic life then.\"<\/p>\n
Mufiz Ali said that there is a positive relation between the
\nlevel of participation and the quality of democracy.<\/p>\n
\"The better people can exercise their rights to seek
\ndemocracy, the higher their participation will be,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Participation of the people is crucial. It stimulates
\npolitical integration and determines the quality of democracy.<\/p>\n
\"Without people's participation, then we have reasons to
\nquestion the level of democracy,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Djuliati said that, given the \"suffocating\" social conditions
\nat present, the government should respond promptly in order to
\nprevent unrest.<\/p>\n
\"Ultimately, it's the government which should launch the drive
\ntoward a modern, democratic and mature society.\" (har\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-should-initiate-democracy-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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