Principles of democracy still ignored<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Indonesian bureaucrats often promote their
\npersonal interests at the expense a democracy which they are fond
\nof talking about, a political observer said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Such inconsistencies were readily apparent in the numerous
\nbannings of cultural performances and the government's tendency
\nto intervene in conflicts within major organizations, according
\nto Lt. Gen. (ret.) Harsudiono Hartas.<\/p>\n
Hartas, who is a member of Indonesia's Supreme Advisory Board,
\nsaid that when it intervened in an intra-organizational conflict,
\nthe government usually took one side instead of being neutral as,
\nhe said, it is supposed to be.<\/p>\n
\"This emotional attitude and behavior of bureaucrats which
\nfavor one group over another is clearly inconsistent with their
\nmain responsibility, role and duty as instruments of the state,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said that government officials should carry out their
\nduties in a wise and just manner which accommodated all of the
\nvarious interest groups in society.<\/p>\n
\"This way they can remain consistent in their thoughts, their
\nspeech and their conduct, based on sound moral and ethical
\nvalues,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Hartas said there needed to be goodwill from the government to
\npromote a political culture based on the state ideology
\nPancasila.<\/p>\n
\"These values must continually be promoted and implemented in
\nthe daily life of the people and the state's apparatuses,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Hartas, who is a former chairman of the Armed Forces faction
\nin the People's Consultative Assembly, said that to secure the
\nrealization of the so-called \"Pancasila democracy\" there had to
\nbe ongoing political reform.<\/p>\n
\"Old paradigms must be eliminated. These include the culture
\nof asking for guidance, paternalism, centralization of power in
\nthe hands of a few, rigid hierarchical structures and rigid
\ncontrol enforced only to please the boss,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"What we need is a new paradigm, which includes cooperation
\nbetween political infrastructure and superstructure, the
\ndevelopment of people's participation, encouraging the
\nindependence of political groups, empowering the people and
\nproviding equal opportunities for all in all respects,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Former vice president Sudharmono said during the same seminar
\nthat certain political steps taken by the government, such as its
\nreview of the laws governing general elections, could be regarded
\nas bringing the country closer to greater democracy.<\/p>\n
Although the moves may not satisfy the expectations of certain
\ngroups, he said, everyone had to be aware of and pay attention to
\nthe interests of all.(har\/pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/principles-of-democracy-still-ignored-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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