'Legitimate' leader key to ending social disorder<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Amid the leadership crisis, Indonesia needs a
\nwidely-accepted leader to end the social entropy and
\ndisorganization that has triggered a series of recent riots, a
\nresearcher said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
S. Budhisantoso, a researcher from the center of research and
\ndevelopment at the University of Indonesia, said that Indonesians
\nhave been frustrated and disappointed by President B.J. Habibie's
\nweak determination to carry out a total reform and uphold
\ndemocracy.<\/p>\n
\"The recent riots that rocked Ambon in Maluku and Sambas in
\nKalimantan reflect the people's skepticism over Habibie's
\ngovernment and the military. This has also led them to take
\nviolent actions as the final solution to conflicts,\" he said in
\nthe second day of a seminar on civilian-military relations at the
\nuniversity's campus in Depok.<\/p>\n
He said that according to the university's mission to the two
\nprovinces, Ambon turned normal in March but was struck again by
\nanother violent riot because of the local military's inability to
\nhandle the case impartially.<\/p>\n
\"In Sambas, Melayu and Dayak people were united in launching
\nattacks against Madurese people after their rights had been
\nrobbed for years,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also said Habibie's weak determination to try Soeharto and
\nhis cronies as well as the military's brutality in many regions
\nhave caused the people, especially students, to become more
\nfrustrated.<\/p>\n
\"Moreover, corruptions and collusions are still prevalent in
\nthe bureaucracy,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Budhisantoso, who has conducted numerous researches in
\ntroubled territories in the country, said that the factor of
\ndesperation has been the main reason both people and soldiers
\ncommit violence.<\/p>\n
\"For example, a group of people living in a forest area in
\nTorgamba, Riau, grew increasingly restless recently after the
\nforest was sold by the government as a concessionaire area to a
\nlocal businessman. They were driven out of the area after being
\naccused that they were forest squatters,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He cited that the recent clashes between people and soldiers
\nin Lhokseumawe, Aceh, which claimed dozens of human lives, was
\nsignificant evidence that desperation was a decisive factor in
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
\"The two sides were involved in bloody clashes after both lost
\nself-control. Acehnese people have been desperate with the
\nmilitary's repression in the province, while the soldiers were
\nforced to kill after failing to control the situation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Budhisantoso said the people should learn more about how to
\nlive a common life while the military and the National Police
\nshould insert social sciences, especially sociology and human
\nrights, in their education program in a move to help minimize
\nviolence in the future.<\/p>\n
Mochtar Pabottingi, a senior political observer from the
\nIndonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said that a democracy
\nwas a prerequisite for a harmonious and proper civilian-military
\nrelations in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He did not see any urgency to discuss civilian-military
\nrelations unless democracy was developed.<\/p>\n
\"People's sovereignty should first of all be upheld and the
\nmilitary's role will follow suit. This means that the people and
\nhigh state institutions should be first empowered,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He condemned the New Order regime for manipulating the
\nmilitary's dual function and the ruling Golkar Party to repress
\nthe people and put them in backwardness for so long.<\/p>\n
\"East Timor, Aceh and Irian Jaya are clear evidence that
\ndemocracy is not upheld and people's sovereignty is not
\nrespected,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Both Aceh and Irian Jaya may have no other alternative choice
\nthan independence unless the government and the military stop
\nusing guns to handle their problems, he said.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, an assistant to the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) chief on general planning affairs, suggested that
\nthe military should be given a role in political sharing before
\nleaving politics permanently some time in the future.<\/p>\n
He also said that young professionals from civilian society
\nshould strengthen the middle class and enter the political elite.<\/p>\n
Mochtar Mas'oed, a political observer from the Yogyakarta-
\nbased Gadjah Mada University, said that democracy was a probable
\nway out of the economic, political and leadership crisis and many
\nproblems the nation is facing. (rms)<\/p>",
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