Possibility of disintegration<\/p>\n
It would appear, quite ominously, that history could well
\nrepeat itself in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Although decentralization, devolution and autonomy may enhance
\nthe cause of democracy in many other countries, in Indonesia it
\nmay do quite the opposite.<\/p>\n
While calls for independence in Aceh, Riau and West Papua and
\nfor unification in Sulewesi, in some cases, may be genuine and
\nexpress the wish of the majority, in others they may be simply
\nexpressing the wishes of a covetous and exploitative elite.<\/p>\n
It appears that there are some regents and military factions
\nwho are determined to gain financially by conspiring to exploit
\nthe motion towards fragmentation in the country.<\/p>\n
Without the knowledge and approval of the central government,
\ndeals are already in the process of being struck between
\nIndonesian and foreign companies on the one hand and regents and
\ncertain military factions on the other. In this way, alternative,
\nunelected administrations, albeit provincial ones, are
\nhaphazardly emerging to fill the vacuum left by a rather weak and
\nirresolute, central government.<\/p>\n
A similar process occurred in Indonesia in the 1960s when
\nseveral large American companies reached agreements and entered
\ninto contracts with Soeharto's cronies and the military faction.
\nThis ultimately led to the CIA backed coup of 1965 and rule by a
\ndespotic regime for three decades thereafter.<\/p>\n
This time the CIA is probably not involved and the outcome is
\nunlikely to be a unified Indonesia under a military government;
\ninstead Indonesia could very possibly fragment under a whole
\nvariety of avaricious despots.<\/p>\n
To prevent this the government must firmly and before it is
\ntoo late, take steps to prohibit involvement by the military in
\nany business activities, ensure the loyalty of the entire
\nmilitary to the central administration, carefully plan any
\ndevolution so that power devolves to democratically elected
\nprovincial assemblies and declare illegal and void all ultra
\nvires contracts made between officials and businesses.<\/p>\n
FRANK RICHARDSON<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/possibility-of-disintegration-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }