PDI-P yet to learn about democratic basics<\/p>\n
One of the biggest Indonesian political parties which bears
\nthe name of democracy, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), is holding its congress in Semarang.
\nThe Jakarta Post talked with Mochtar Buchori, columnist and
\ndeputy chairman of the party, about democracy.<\/p>\n
Question: Why should the issue of leader always feature
\nprominently every time an organization holds a congress?<\/p>\n
Answer: It is the nation's culture. We glorify symbolic values
\nabove functional values. A chairperson is a symbol of power, but
\nvery few people assess their own capacity to lead against the
\ntasks that lie ahead.<\/p>\n
The obsession with symbolic values does not occur solely in
\npolitics but also in other fields, such as education, as the
\npublic's appetite for college titles attests.<\/p>\n
Is this a typical Indonesian phenomenon?<\/p>\n
In developed democracies candidates assess their capacity and
\nstudy their future tasks beforehand. But in less developed
\ndemocracies the benchmark is closeness to power. We are actually
\nstill in a transition to democracy.<\/p>\n
How can we evolve into a mature democracy?<\/p>\n
With nothing other than political education. At this moment
\nmost of us perceive democracy solely as a political concept. So
\ndemocracy applies only in political life, outside it there is no
\nbusiness with democracy.<\/p>\n
This is wrong because democracy is a way of life. How I treat
\nmy driver is a matter of democracy, how I treat my students is
\nalso a matter of democracy. It is a measure of to what extend I
\nam following democratic values.<\/p>\n
It is a way of life?<\/p>\n
Yes, it is. For a Javanese like me, who was nurtured in a
\nfeudal setting, it is very difficult to convert myself into a
\ndemocrat. I consider myself a democrat, but still a lot of the
\nresidue of feudal values stays with me.<\/p>\n
So you are fighting against yourself?<\/p>\n
That is so, in all consciousness. You are being conscious of
\nwhat you are doing.<\/p>\n
You are a very honest man.<\/p>\n
I am Javanese, my housemaid is Javanese. If my maid spoke in
\nless than subtle Javanese to me I would be irritated. Isn't it
\nfeudal? It is still within me. I have to fight against it.<\/p>\n
Certainly it has many good aspects, but isn't feudalism only
\none facet of Javanese culture?<\/p>\n
Yes, there are good aspects as well. The problem in handling
\ncultural transformation is which values should you preferably
\nmaintain, modify or abandon entirely and replace with new values?
\nAnd where you take the new values from?<\/p>\n
Because I received a Western education, I tend to look for
\nreplacement in Western culture as compared to santri (Muslim
\nscholars) who look for them in the repertoire of Islamic values.
\nWhat is important is the awareness of rethinking certain values
\nwe were brought up with.<\/p>\n
If we look at our political culture, it is very feudalistic.
\nSubordinates can never openly disagree with their superiors. It
\nis just not feasible in Indonesia. The question is in what way
\ncan we express our disagreement.<\/p>\n
Indonesian bureaucratic culture is obsessed with politeness.
\nIsn't this Javanese (culture)? You may be corrupt but if you are
\npolite you will be alright. You may be clean but if you are
\nimpolite you get into trouble. Meritocracy is nonexistent in this
\nnation.<\/p>\n
Going back to your Western education background, you may have
\na different outlook from those brought up with Islamic
\ncredentials.<\/p>\n
Yes, for instance, the way we look at democracy. There are
\nsome who say that it is impossible for Islam to accept democracy
\nbecause Islam already has a system called syura which is regarded
\nas the equivalent to democracy.<\/p>\n
But, actually, the core of democracy is the sovereignty of the
\npeople whereas syura is a council of leaders of the people and
\nnot the people themselves. So it is not equal.<\/p>\n
Similarly, the term masyarakat madani is not equal to civil
\nsociety. There are similarities but they are not identical.<\/p>\n
How do they differ?<\/p>\n
In civil society, society gives opportunities to its members
\nto organize themselves. There are things taken care of by the
\nfamily units and things by the government. In between there is a
\nspace where the government doesn't meddle. This is the space of
\ncivil society.<\/p>\n
How can we keep the environment clean without citizens'
\nparticipation? If the citizens do not restrain themselves from
\nthrowing their garbage into rivers, pollution will keep
\nhappening. The same with the forest fires in Sumatra.<\/p>\n
And masyarakat madani?<\/p>\n
Masyarakat madani originates in Madinah. Prior to becoming an
\nIslamic state, there was a Christian minority and the prophet
\nsaid they were equal to the Muslim faithful. But when Madinah
\nbecame an Islamic country they were treated as a protected
\nminority and had to pay taxes for protection.<\/p>\n
Masyarakat madani is a civilized society, thus the concept is
\ndifferent. Its emphasis is on civilizing the entire society,
\nwhile civil society emphasizes the rule of the citizens. There is
\na parallel but it is not the same.<\/p>\n
Nurcholish Madjid (a noted Muslim intellectual) once said he
\npreferred to use the term masyarakat madani to put an Islamic
\n'color' on it. Well, giving 'color' does not touch the substance
\nof an issue.<\/p>\n
How to fill the gap in harmonizing a nation?<\/p>\n
Dialog is needed. Humanistic values are the meeting point.<\/p>\n
Has there been any dialog between the two groupings?<\/p>\n
No, every attempt at dialog has ended in disarray because the
\nelite is politically immature. Isn't democracy as we have it now
\nbeing abused? There is no difference between democracy and
\nintimidation. So the basic notion of democracy should be well
\nunderstood, especially by PDI Perjuangan. (hbk)<\/p>",
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