Indonesia still intolerance of differing views: Academic<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Intolerance of dissenting opinions is retarding
\nthe growth of democracy on Indonesian soil, suggests a political
\nobserver.<\/p>\n
Yusril Ihza from the University of Indonesia' school of law,
\nargued on Saturday that the acceptance of differing opinions
\nshould be encouraged at the grassroots level.<\/p>\n
\"Debates, arguments and different opinions are needed to help
\ndevelop democracy in our society,\" said Yusril in a discussion
\nheld by the Indonesian Catholic Students Union.<\/p>\n
Yusril said democracy is not a top-down process and that the
\ncountry's leaders should no longer force feed their own concepts.<\/p>\n
\"Training programs and courses coercing the same perception of
\nthe state ideology Pancasila are no longer necessary because
\nthere is nothing wrong with having a different view,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The discussion entitled Social Justice and Challenges Faced by
\nNationalism in Indonesia, was also attended by Franz Magnis-
\nSuseno, a philosopher and lecturer at the Driyarkara School of
\nPhilosophy.<\/p>\n
Sharing Yusril's view, Magnis-Suseno said that different
\nopinions are essential to a democratic society and would not
\nerode the people's sense of nationalism.<\/p>\n
\"Nationalism is neither an ideology or a concept. It concerns
\none's feeling and love for his country and comes from the heart.
\nIt is a commitment,\" he said, pointing out that nationalism is
\nnot something that can necessarily be taught.<\/p>\n
\"The East Timorese, for instance, will not attain a sense of
\nnationalism from ideology courses,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yusril said that there are many \"illogical\" indications that
\nthe current system does not tolerate disagreement.<\/p>\n
\"The nation's concept-makers design polices which benefit
\nthemselves. People are obligated to agree with them and the
\nsystem does not allow public control,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Yusril said a different control mechanism is essential to keep
\nbureaucrats on the right track.<\/p>\n
\"Now, it is unclear to whom the Supreme Court and the Supreme
\nAdvisory Council, for example, must report to. Should they report
\nto themselves, or God? There is no mechanism to control them,\" he
\npointed out.<\/p>\n
Reporting to the president, he said, was also incorrect. \"A
\nhigher or equal-level body should not report to a lower one.\"<\/p>\n
Both Yusril and Franz emphasized the need for an effective
\nchecks and balances system.<\/p>\n
Yusril said the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should
\nhave a bigger role in controlling the country's leaders.<\/p>\n
\"When I was in a student organization, we needed several days
\nand nights -- with no sleep -- to reach a consensus because we
\ndebated for hours. Now I am very surprised that the MPR only
\nneeds 11 days to discuss and approve ways of solving the
\ncountry's problems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Franz stressed the role of the media in preventing the
\ncountry's leaders from neglecting their responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\"There is no corruption in Germany, but not because the
\ncountry's leaders have better morals than those in other
\ncountries. It is simply because public control is very
\nstrict...The media has power,\" he said.(pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-still-intolerance-of-differing-views-academic-1447893297",
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