Ideas of federalism<\/p>\n
Some weeks ago Amien Rais initiated an important debate on the
\nneed to consider adopting a federal system for Indonesia. Former
\nfinance minister Mar'ie Muhammad also joined the federalist camp
\nsuggesting to President Habibie that the proposal be debated when
\nthe next People's Consultative Assembly meets in August. Contrary
\nto these positions, Gen. Wiranto stated recently that federalism
\nhas no place in Indonesia and is therefore \"out of the question\".
\nThis is indeed a strong and strict rejection of the idea of a
\nfederalist state, which in my opinion was probably done too
\nhastily. Is the general afraid that federalism might become a
\nthreat to the unity of Indonesia?<\/p>\n
It seems that many prominent Indonesian politicians -- maybe
\nGeneral Wiranto as well -- are terrified by the horrible example
\nof the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia which fell to pieces
\nafter their powerful central government systems ceased to exist.
\nBut these two countries cannot be used as proof that federalism
\nnecessarily might lead to disintegration. Despite their names
\nthey never were federalist states in reality but rather centrally
\nruled dictatorships.<\/p>\n
Countries like the United States of America, Germany,
\nAustralia or India have federal systems of government and still
\nmaintain their nation's unity. Of course, these countries have
\nthe privilege to enjoy democratic political systems which form a
\nstrong foundation for national unity. Indonesia should use these
\ncountries as examples and make all efforts to build up democratic
\ninstitutions as a basis for developing a federal system as well.<\/p>\n
The persistent violence in Aceh, East Timor, Maluku and West
\nKalimantan's Sambas region, and the threatening dissatisfaction
\ngrowing in Irian Jaya and Riau can never be stopped unless far-
\nreaching autonomy and sufficient revenues are given to these
\ntroubled provinces. To solve the problems and prevent other
\nprovinces from developing separatist ideas, a fundamental
\nsolution should be sought as soon as possible. The solution can
\nonly be the formation of a federalist state. There will be no
\nalternative, I'm afraid.<\/p>\n
MRS. HILDE MAY<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ideas-of-federalism-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }