Kleden keeps the beat for better RI<\/p>\n
T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, The Jakarta Post<\/p>\n
Tonight, sociologist Ignas Kleden, 55, will reach a milestone in
\nhis life-long career as a social philosopher.<\/p>\n
He will stand on the podium of a luxury hotel on Jl. MH
\nThamrin, Central Jakarta, to receive an award on Aug. 14, 2003
\nfor his dedication and work as a social philosopher.<\/p>\n
\"I am glad that social philosophy is finally being recognized
\nas a career, just like a House member or a law expert,\" Kleden
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Just like athletes who are honored for their achievements in
\nphysical activities, he said, thinkers are awarded for their
\nachievements in intellectual exercises.<\/p>\n
The honor, presented for the first time by the Freedom
\nInstitute, is called the 2003 Achmad Bakrie Award, after the
\nfather of businessman Aburizal Bakrie. The award will also be
\nbestowed on Sapardi Djoko Damono in the field of literature.<\/p>\n
Since he was a teenager, Kleden, whose father was an
\nelementary school principal, had been fond of writing and wanted
\nto become a writer when he grew up.<\/p>\n
\"I didn't have the slightest clue that I would become a
\nthinker,\" he said.<\/p>\n
It was his environment that made him one.<\/p>\n
Born on May 19, 1948 in Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara, Kleden
\nattended the St. Dominggo seminary school in the nearby town of
\nHokeng, and continued his studies at the College of Philosophy
\nand Theology in Maumere. While studying at the college, Kleden
\nwrote many articles for cultural publications as well as Catholic
\njournals like Basis and literary magazine Horison.<\/p>\n
In 1974, one year before his graduation, he decided not to be
\nordained a Catholic priest. So he left the college and went to
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
In the capital, he first worked as a freelance translator for
\nthe Indonesian Bishops Conference. He later became an editor of
\ntranslated social science books and then publication coordinator
\nat Yayasan Obor (Obor Foundation). He also contributed regularly
\nto Kompas daily and Tempo weekly magazine.<\/p>\n
His forays into literature and philosophy also took him
\noverseas, and from the end of 1979 until early 1982 he studied at
\nthe College of Philosophy in Munich, Germany, for a Masters in
\nphilosophy. In 1990, he again traveled to Germany, this time
\nstudying at Bielefeld University in Hanover and graduated in 1995
\nwith a doctorate in sociology.<\/p>\n
Instead of speaking proudly of the fact that he graduated cum
\nlaude on both occasions, Kleden told of how he managed to get a
\nroom at a dormitory in Munich -- despite a long waiting list.<\/p>\n
He approached the dorm director, who was a priest, and offered
\nto play the chapel organ if he was accepted at the dorm.<\/p>\n
\"So, for two years I played the organ there,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kleden, who also plays the accordion, studied classical music
\nand honed his musical talents when he was at the seminary school.
\nBesides music, Latin was another subject that he studied. \"Six
\nclasses a week for seven years,\" he exclaimed.<\/p>\n
He believed that classical music could cultivate one's
\nemotions.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know about other musical genre, because I don't have
\nenough knowledge about them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kleden said that he sometimes had small spats with his son
\nabout the kind of music to be played in the car, as his son did
\nnot really like classical music.<\/p>\n
\"But I never force my will on him. Every generation lives with
\na different spirit. It used to be very disciplined, with a top-
\ndown approach. Now, it is more liberal,\" said Kleden.<\/p>\n
Kleden, who studied sociology as he realized the need for
\nempirical tools to understand society, is currently director of
\nthe Center for East Indonesian Affairs. He has conducted many
\nresearch projects and training programs, including programs on
\nconflict resolution, throughout the country.<\/p>\n
In Kalimantan, he said, the bloody ethnic conflict between the
\nindigenous Dayak and Madurese migrants from East Java happened
\nbecause of the inappropriate policy of transmigration.<\/p>\n
In the beginning, people voluntarily left their hometowns for
\na better future on another island, he explained. But under the
\nNew Order regime, the people were forced to move from overly
\ncrowded areas, notably in Java, to sparsely populated areas.<\/p>\n
\"This was a 'push' project rather than a 'pull' project,\" he
\nsaid. Under this program, the migrants, who enjoyed many
\nfacilities from the government, often failed to respect their
\nhost culture.<\/p>\n
In Ambon, on the other hand, communal conflicts are
\ncommonplace, but can usually be settled via traditional conflict
\nresolution institutions. However, said Kleden, the recent
\nsectarian conflicts in Ambon became prolonged alongside the
\nelimination of the conflict resolution institutions and the
\nemergence of outside interference.<\/p>\n
Commenting about the JW Marriott bombing and other attacks
\nthat have rocked the country over the past few years, Kleden
\nobserved that the attacks were side effects of the transition
\nfrom an authoritarian to a democratic system of government. In an
\nauthoritarian system, human rights are suppressed in the name of
\noverall harmony.<\/p>\n
In addition, over the reformasi era that began in 1998, the
\nmilitary and the police appear to have become confused, after
\nthey were denied much of the political privileges they had
\nenjoyed under Soeharto. \"They became extremely reserved.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesian society is now experiencing the winds of change.<\/p>\n
\"During the New Order government, people developed the art of
\ndoing nothing. It was best not to do anything, not to think about
\nanything.<\/p>\n
\"Now, people are exercising the art of feeling nothing. There
\nis now an absence of dignity,\" he said, referring to the erosion
\nof moral and cultural values.<\/p>\n
In a paternalistic society like Indonesia's, people expected a
\nleader who could become a role model, which is wrong, said
\nKleden.<\/p>\n
\"A good leader is one who can be controlled, not one who can
\nbecome a role model,\" he stressed.<\/p>\n
\"The chances for someone in power to extend their power is
\nmuch greater than their capability to control themselves.\"<\/p>\n
As for President Megawati, Kleden said, she should be blamed
\nfor her \"mistakes of omission\" rather than her \"mistakes of
\ncommission\", as she did nothing for the betterment of the nation.<\/p>\n
He added that Indonesia needed a leader who was not
\nnecessarily brilliant, but one with heart.<\/p>\n
Kleden, who is trying to help fix what he calls the
\n\"disorientation\" of the view of the people and the government, is
\nsometimes frustrated as things did not seem to improve. But he
\ndoes not lose hope for a change for the better.<\/p>\n
\"We should continue to talk and talk. Being silent is a crime.
\nOnce we stop beating the drum, the dance is over.\"<\/p>\n
For Kleden, it will be a long while yet until he chooses -- if
\never -- to stop beating his drum.<\/p>",
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