Money politics can demolish democracy<\/p>\n
By Aleksius Jemadu<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): In this era of political reform most politicians
\nare trying hard to convince people they are real reformists. But
\nthe difference between a reformist and an opportunist is obvious.<\/p>\n
The reformer has a genuine respect for the people and regards
\nhis profession as a noble service for the people's greatest
\nbenefit.<\/p>\n
An opportunist is basically a someone who seeks power. He or
\nshe likes self-aggrandizement. He will not hesitate to use (or
\nmisuse) state facilities to seek popularity. While a genuine
\nreformist wants to be a populist leader, an opportunist wants to
\nbe seen as a populist leader. An opportunist is at best a
\npolitical pretender.<\/p>\n
Recently we were shocked by a report made by the coordinator
\nof the Urban Poor Consortium, Wardah Hafidz. According to the
\nreport, Golkar Party and the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR)
\nmisused state facilities, the social safety net fund and funds
\nfor small-scale loans. Hafidz demanded Golkar and PDR be barred
\nfrom the June 7 polls for their involvement in money politics
\n(The Jakarta Post, May 27, 1999). It is widely believed that
\nmoney politics has become a real threat to the legitimacy of the
\nupcoming elections.<\/p>\n
It is undeniable that both Golkar Party and PDR are closely
\nconnected with the present government. Many Cabinet members are
\nprominent figures in Golkar Party. Adi Sasono, Minister of
\nCooperatives and Small Enterprises, is known to be PDR's
\n\"patron\". PDR has also made him their presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
Hafidz said she had strong evidence both parties used the
\nstate's money to promote their own interests.<\/p>\n
In this period of transition, Indonesia's incumbent leaders
\nare challenged by the need to meet the democratic demands of
\nsociety, not only in the form of greater political participation
\nfor the people but also in the redistribution of economic
\nresources. The government, particularly the Ministry of
\nCooperatives and Small Enterprises, knows that members of
\ncooperatives and owners of small-enterprises were deeply
\nfrustrated by the New Order government's loan policies, which
\ngave too much preferential treatment to conglomerates.<\/p>\n
The problem is that many people are suspicious of the real
\nobjective of the government's new economic populism. Taking into
\naccount the obvious partisanship of some government leaders in
\nthe upcoming elections, it makes perfect sense to at least
\nquestion the political motives behind the government's economic
\npolicies.<\/p>\n
If Golkar Party and PDR have used public money for their own
\npolitical interests then the whole process of democratization is
\nin jeopardy. Politicians who use public money to promote their
\nown political interests commit two wrongs. First, it is against
\nthe law to use state funds for personal or partisan interests.
\nSecond, they are fooling the people into thinking that they are
\nreal democrats, while in fact they are not. With politicians like
\nthis, political reform cannot go beyond wishful thinking.<\/p>\n
The writer is a lecturer in the Department of International
\nRelations at Parahyangan Bandung University.<\/p>",
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