New values vs old<\/p>\n
In the present age of reform, Indonesians have to be prepared
\nfor the unavoidable struggle between old and new values. This
\ntrend is a matter of natural consequences because standing face
\nto face in the wind of social change today are prodemocracy
\npeople and the remnants of the fallen authoritarian regime of
\npresident Soeharto. They dominate today's ruling elite.<\/p>\n
The latest example of the tug-of-war between the two values
\ntook place recently when the General Elections Commission, the
\nindependence of which is a new element in Indonesia's political
\nlife, voted in favor of banning government officials from
\ncampaigning on behalf of parties contesting the June polls.<\/p>\n
Although President B.J. Habibie, who has the last say on the
\nmatter, has not made any comment, there were strong reactions
\namong government officials, who are also activists of Golkar
\nParty.<\/p>\n
The combative voices were anticipated since the officials, who
\nfall in the category mentioned by the commission's ruling,
\ninclude not only governors, regents, mayors and their deputies
\nbut most importantly Cabinet ministers.<\/p>\n
So for Golkar officials, who were the soldiers of the New
\nOrder regime's dirty war against the people, any ruling which
\nputs an end to their manipulative tricks could mean defeat even
\nbefore the war starts because it is here where their secret power
\nlies.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, by making the inspiring decision, the
\ncommission has acted as a true people's body, whose integrity is
\nhigher than the existing official legislative council which
\nrepresents only government-sanctioned political groupings. The
\ncommission has voiced the aspirations of poor Indonesians, people
\nwho are fed up with the Golkar's foul techniques.<\/p>\n
The people, whose dreams of democracy were stifled for too
\nlong, are weary with the party's political manipulations. People
\nstill see red when reminded of how, in the past, Golkar reacted
\nwith illogical self-justification every time the public protested
\nits premature electoral campaign activities, especially those
\ninvolving Cabinet ministers.<\/p>\n
For rational people, Golkar statements are the same old much-
\nado-about-nothing-logic because they have always been about
\nmanipulation and imposition of fear. In facing a general
\nelection, Golkar had an art of getting votes and campaign funds
\nfrom the cronies and tycoons it fattened.<\/p>\n
Some officials also reacted by sarcastically advising the
\ncommission to respect the supremacy of the law. This is rich,
\ncoming as it does from an organization that has been on the wrong
\nside law for the three last decades.<\/p>\n
The commission has complete authority in this ruling because
\nit has been given every right to decide the rules of the game for
\nall contesting parties.<\/p>\n
Finally, amid the controversy of the campaign ruling for
\nofficials, it seems that Habibie -- who decided last week to
\nprohibit five Cabinet ministers and the attorney general from
\ncampaigning -- views the problem seriously, as can be seen by his
\nsudden announcement yesterday that it would be the Supreme
\nCourt's job to decide.<\/p>\n
The President, realizing that his government is considered
\nillegitimate by many, may have decided to let the Supreme Court
\nhave the final decision and in this way avoid the possibility of
\nmaking any move that could prove fatal to his political future.<\/p>\n
It is now up to the Supreme Court -- the credibility of which
\nhas been compromised in the past after it was accused of dancing
\nto the executive branch's tune -- to decide whether it will once
\nagain function as the last bastion of the law or issue a suicidal
\ndecree which will be hazardous to the reform movement.<\/p>\n
It is not too late for the country's highest judicial body to
\nbear in mind that the nation is now at a crossroads and there is
\nno U-turn toward dictatorship.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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