Keep national perspective, Moerdiono says<\/p>\n
BUKITTINGGI, West Sumatra (JP): Minister\/State Secretary
\nMoerdiono said yesterday that the government has no objection to
\nthe emergence of new mass organizations, as long as they do not
\nlead to the disintegration of the nation.<\/p>\n
The presence of these new organizations is welcome, but their
\nfounders must always keep nationalism in mind, Moerdiono said in
\na discussion about what the national political agenda should be
\nfor the next 50 years.<\/p>\n
\"Whatever organizations we found, they must never erode our
\nnational perspective,\" he said. \"Let's remember that if the
\nnation's leaders lose their perspective on the nation, and narrow
\nthis perspective to their own specific sectors, this will be the
\nbeginning of disintegration.\"<\/p>\n
A number of new organizations have been established in
\nIndonesia in recent months, many proclaiming their intention to
\ndefend the nation from various threats, including external and
\ninternal forces of disintegration.<\/p>\n
Some of the leaders of these organizations will have their
\nfirst crack at presenting their views to the public during the
\ntwo-day seminar here.<\/p>\n
One of those already present yesterday was Mrs. Supeni, the
\nchairperson of Indonesian National Unity. This organization has
\nbeen dubbed the \"New PNI\" because it is seen as a resurrection of
\nthe disbanded Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI).<\/p>\n
Debate<\/p>\n
The seminar, jointly organized by the Center for Information
\nand Development Studies, the West Sumatra Provincial
\nAdministration and Andalas University, brought together some 150
\nintellectuals, including a number known for their critical stands
\ntowards the government.<\/p>\n
During the ensuing debate, Moerdiono qualified his statement
\nabout welcoming new organizations, saying that as far political
\norganizations are concerned, the law on general elections only
\nrecognizes three contestants.<\/p>\n
A.M. Fatwa, a member of the Petisi 50 group, which is highly
\ncritical of the government, argued for at least five political
\nparties in order to accommodate the interests and aspirations of
\nall 195 million people in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono quickly challenged Fatwa's stance.<\/p>\n
\"If the three parties were said to have failed in
\naccommodating the interests of all groups in society, would this
\nproblem be solved by adding the number of parties?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
He added that the way to solve this problem would be to put
\nthe existing parties in order rather than creating new parties.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Moerdiono said Indonesia now lives in an
\ninternational system in which states are increasingly open and
\ninterdependent.<\/p>\n
Challenges<\/p>\n
Given this development, Indonesia is faced with two main
\nchallenges: preserving its unity and strengthening its people to
\ntap the opportunities presented.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono added that although countries are now busy
\nnetworking instead of building borders, the nation state is still
\nthe most effective institution in the development of a country.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, for example, must prepare itself for the advent of
\nthe free trade era within Southeast Asia, set for 2003, and
\nwithin the Asia-Pacific region for 2010 or 2020, he said.<\/p>\n
The government's role here is to assist the people in taking
\nadvantage of the opportunities offered. \"But rules are needed
\nlike everywhere else,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On the people's political participation, Moerdiono defended
\nthe political concept of \"floating mass\" in which most of the
\npeople are only politically active during election times.<\/p>\n
The few people who are interested in political careers should
\njoin one of the political organizations, he said.<\/p>\n
\"This is not depoliticizing,\" he added. The system gives
\nfreedom to citizens to reflect, between elections, on whether the
\nprogram of a given party matches their aspirations.<\/p>\n
\"I think the 'floating mass' term is a modern concept, because
\npeople can switch their loyalty to another party if they are not
\nsatisfied,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Two political scientists, Dewi Fortuna Anwar and Yusril Ihza
\nMahendra, presented papers on \"people's participation\".<\/p>\n
Yusril said the new mass organizations that have been formed
\nin recent months could be viewed as embryos for new political
\nparties, if one day the law permits more than three political
\norganizations.<\/p>\n
He said that greater participation in political activities by
\nthe public is not likely unless the law on political parties is
\nchanged.<\/p>\n
Former minister of environment Emil Salim spoke on sustainable
\ndevelopment during the forum, while Sri Soemantri M, a member of
\nthe National Commission on Human Rights, and a rector at 17
\nAugust University, spoke about the development of the law
\nnationwide. (anr)<\/p>",
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