On transforming the nation into a new society<\/p>\n
Leadership succession has been an on-and-off issue in
\nIndonesian politics. Moeslim Abdurrahman, a political observer
\nand Ph.D. candidate in anthropology at the University of Illinois
\nin the United States, discusses the issue linked with political
\ndevelopment among Moslem intellectuals.<\/p>\n
Question: Why are we putting too much emphasis on the figures
\nrather than programs in our discussions concerning the leadership
\nsuccession?<\/p>\n
Moeslim: That is actually a reflection of the strong demand
\nfor change due to the political situation at the moment, even
\nthough there are more important things such as the establishment
\nof a new leadership concept and the emergence of leaders who have
\nbroader views in leading the nation. What is the meaning of
\nsuccession if there is no situation conducive for the
\naccommodation of fresher aspirations?<\/p>\n
Q: Are there any groups, including the Armed Forces, which have
\nbeen trying to formulate programs to be implemented whenever
\nthere is a succession?<\/p>\n
M: The Armed Forces is now too preoccupied with efforts to
\nmaintain national stability, which is sometimes making people
\nscared of discussing the realities. Only a few of its officers
\nare interested in formulating reform measures, such as how to
\ncope with the economic crisis and to face the globalization era.<\/p>\n
Other groups are also unprepared. None of them have formulated
\na new school of thought to face changes in politics and the
\neconomy. The security approach of the Armed Forces has made it
\nimpossible for them to exercise creativity in, for example,
\nformulating a concept of development with wider public
\nparticipation.<\/p>\n
Q: Has the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), during its
\ncurrent general assembly, accommodated public aspirations on the
\nleadership succession issue?<\/p>\n
M: The MPR apparently has anticipated the succession by
\nformulating rules related to it. But succession does not concern
\nitself only about rules. We have not discussed the limitation of
\na president's term of office, a concept on how to make
\nIndonesians ready to face the globalization era or the criteria
\nof leaders who can carry out such a concept.<\/p>\n
Q: As a predominantly Moslem country, Indonesia has many Moslem
\nintellectuals. Do you know any of them who might be trying to
\nformulate leadership programs for the post-Soeharto era?<\/p>\n
M: I don't see any of them trying to help transform Indonesia
\ninto a new society. They are too busy with efforts to make
\nthemselves involved in the legislature or the bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
Q: Can Moslem intellectuals like Nurcholish Madjid, Amien Rais
\nand Abdurrahman Wahid join hands to formulate programs for
\nnational development?<\/p>\n
M: They have been doing it, but they seem to be unable to
\ndistance themselves from the interests of their own groups which
\nhinders them from becoming statesmen with broader nationalistic
\nviews.<\/p>\n
Q: What is the most urgent thing to be addressed in the next term
\nof leadership?<\/p>\n
M: We must prepare new social leaders who are open to the ideas
\nof the younger generation and are able to think beyond the
\ninterests of their own groups. Also, we must recover from the
\neconomic crisis and improve the productivity of our workers.<\/p>\n
Q: How can we bring together the views of Moslem intellectuals
\nwith those of other groups, including the Armed Forces?<\/p>\n
M: There should be a mechanism of gathering them in forums for
\nnational discourses.<\/p>\n
Q: What do you think about the movement of a local leader of the
\nMoslem-dominated United Development Party (PPP), Moedrick
\nSangidoe, to accommodate the supporters of the expelled leader of
\nthe Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarnoputri in
\nthe last general election campaign?<\/p>\n
M: Moedrick has shown that among our youth, there are groups
\nwhich put national vision beyond their own personal interests. It
\nindicates the development of pluralism in the country. Moslems,
\ntherefore, need to take initiatives to make their organizations
\nmore open to members of other societies.<\/p>\n
Q: What do you think about proposals to make Amien Rais our
\nfuture president and PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum vice
\npresident?<\/p>\n
M: I see it as a spirit of political reform. Such bravery to
\npropose an alternative candidate other than the incumbent
\npresident is needed to break the current political gridlock and
\nto invite others to think of their own future. (riz)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-transforming-the-nation-into-a-new-society-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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