Rational approach necessary<\/p>\n
While soothsayers and fortune-tellers are popular in
\nIndonesia, perhaps a rational approach to predicting the future
\nwould benefit this country more. For example, the retaliatory
\natrocities committed in Aceh recently surely were wholly
\npredictable given the extent of the resentment that must have
\nbuilt up against the Armed Forces (ABRI) over the past decade in
\nparticular. One must wonder, therefore, at the naivete of
\nallowing off-duty soldiers to use public transport in Aceh and
\npermitting large numbers of soldiers to be billeted above
\ndetainees when emotions are running high. However, in Aceh these
\nmistakes have been made and there is little to be gained from
\ncrying over spilled milk.<\/p>\n
Instead, let us rationally look forward to the general
\nelection to be held in June. What scenario are we likely to
\narrive at if all relevant factors are taken into consideration?
\nIn this country there are now well over one hundred political
\nparties, highlighted ethnic and religious differences, miscreants
\nof the Soeharto regime who fear losing their fortunes and freedom
\nif a president is democratically elected, the ABRI still
\nperforming a dual military and sociopolitical role and a
\npopulation distrustful of its government, doubting its
\nwillingness to hold a fair general election.<\/p>\n
A veritable powder keg? Even without a severe economic crisis,
\nyes indeed. One can foresee certain interest groups, with a great
\ndeal to lose from the advancement of democracy, deliberately
\nengineering discord and welcoming the inevitable bickering among
\nnumerous minority parties. So too can one envisage power groups
\njockeying with each other to align themselves with ABRI. Is it
\nnot just possible that these things will be done in the cause of
\ndestabilizing the country and as a precursor to renewed armed
\nintervention and authoritarianism?<\/p>\n
One way of forestalling this would be to obtain a categorical
\nassurance from world economic powers and the Indonesian military
\nthat a military based government would not be an acceptable
\noption under any circumstances. However, obtaining such an
\nassurance from America, for all its pretensions about upholding
\ndemocracy and given its paranoia of Islamic fundamentalism, will,
\nof course, be difficult.<\/p>\n
The democratic forces in this country would do well to take
\nheed of the maxim: to be forewarned is to be forearmed. There
\nwill be little point in crying "foul" after the event.<\/p>\n
FRANK RICHARDSON<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rational-approach-necessary-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }