Opposition and democracy<\/p>\n
The need for an opposition party has become a hot topic for
\ndebate lately among analysts and scholars of sociopolitical
\naffairs. The issue was launched by Dr. Nurcholish Madjid during a
\nseminar on Perspectives of Islam in Modern Indonesia, which was
\nheld in Jakarta on Monday last week.<\/p>\n
According to Cak Nur, as he is known, an opposition party is
\nneeded in Indonesia to nurture democracy, which is an unavoidable
\nfuture requirement. It is considered that an opposition party
\nwill make the country's system of control and checks-and-balances
\nmore effective.<\/p>\n
The debate finally led to comments from President Soeharto. In
\na meeting with the chairman of the National Development Planning
\nBoard, Ginandjar Kartasasmita, who called on him at the Bina
\nGraha presidential office with board members of the Association
\nof Indonesian Engineers, the President insisted that an
\nopposition party was not needed in Indonesia because it was
\nincompatible with Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
A democracy that in agreement with the demands of the times is
\none that is created by a critical and intelligent society and its
\ninstitutions. If the problems confronting our democracy are
\ncaused by weakness in the exertion of control, then the answer
\nwould be to strengthen the institutions of control, such as the
\nHouse of Representatives and the press.<\/p>\n
If the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty feel that they are unable to function as an opposition
\nbecause of legislative difficulties, then they should strive to
\nwin the general elections.<\/p>\n
On the basis of critical considerations, an opposition party
\ndoes conflict with the Constitution. However, the law does not
\nforbid us to maintain a critical attitude in order to correct
\nwhat is wrong, to reject what is false and to defend what is
\njust. The three political groups must maintain this tradition. If
\nthis tradition prevails, then no opposition party is needed.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/opposition-and-democracy-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }