Indian lesson for RI<\/p>\n
The article Democracy Indian-style: What lessons are there for
\nIndonesia in the June 11 issue made an interesting read, as I
\nhave grown old through the democracy of India.<\/p>\n
In India, the civilian leadership has played havoc on the
\nsystem; in Indonesia, the army did. The conclusion is evident:
\nNeither is better than the other.<\/p>\n
Instead, it is the quality of the individual holding the top
\npost that makes a difference.<\/p>\n
The UK's democracy has grown over many centuries, and its
\ncitizens were given their rights gradually as they became aware
\nof and demanded them. Initially, therefore, only the nobles had
\ndecision-making powers, then the commoners obtained suffrage in
\nthe early 1920s and women's suffrage, only in 1949.<\/p>\n
In the U.S., they had a written, but small, constitution,
\nwhich grew for the better through fair judicial pronouncements.<\/p>\n
India, a nation that achieved independence far later, drew the
\nbest from all prevalent systems and enacted a lengthy
\nconstitution. Yet, it has been implemented so badly that most
\nnoble intentions have been subverted. India ranks near Indonesia
\nin corruption, 20 percent of its population live in hunger and 35
\npercent are illiterate, while disruptive and divisive elements
\nare gaining strength, power is usurped through voter
\nintimidation, individuals with pending criminal cases become
\nministers, judicial processes continue for decades and justice is
\ndenied in the end, innocent people die in police custody, wealthy
\nkillers can escape the law, sacred rivers are polluted beyond
\nredemption, etc, etc.<\/p>\n
A universal adult franchise cannot work in a society afflicted
\nwith so many disabilities.<\/p>\n
The first lesson for Indonesians from the experience of India
\nis that they should elect to power an individual with a proven
\nreputation of being incorrupt, educated, capable, firm and a
\nstaunch nationalist -- like Sardar Patel at the time of Indian
\nindependence, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore or Mahathir Mohammad of
\nMalaysia.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is truly secular. They should continue to preserve
\ntheir heritage and be proud of it. Religion is the concern of an
\nindividual and not the state -- and all religions lead to the
\nsame Almighty God.<\/p>\n
DEEPAK NARAIN, Bogor, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indian-lesson-for-ri-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }