Should minority groups form parties?<\/p>\n
By Aleksius Jemadu<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Like it or not, a political distinction between
\nthe majority and minority groups in Indonesian politics remains
\nan undeniable fact.<\/p>\n
Those who are in the majority group have a natural tendency to
\naspire to a bigger role in the political system. The minority
\ngroups, on the other hand, tend to demand factual recognition as
\nan integral part of the nation.<\/p>\n
The minority groups in Indonesia are normally associated with
\nparticular religious and ethnic affiliations. They include
\nChristians, followers of Buddhism and Hinduism and Chinese-
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
It is interesting to know how these groups would channel their
\npolitical aspirations in the new era. Should each form its own
\npolitical party? Or should they choose to merge with other major
\npolitical parties which are based on nonprimordial principles?<\/p>\n
During Soeharto's rule, minority groups were required to join
\nthe political amalgamations established by the New Order
\ngovernment in the early 1970s. The above-mentioned groups
\nintegrated themselves with the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).
\nOtherwise they would join the dominant party Golkar. Endless
\ninternal conflict within PDI and the peripheralization of the
\nminority groups by Golkar elite have apparently led to widespread
\ndissatisfaction among members of these groups.<\/p>\n
It is only natural if now, in this era of political reform,
\nthe minority groups would be encouraged to form their own
\npolitical party. They might argue that this is the only effective
\nway to have a say in the political system. However, it is equally
\nvalid to suggest such partisan politics could even lead to more
\nsectarianism in our pluralistic society.<\/p>\n
Establishing new political parties based on religious and
\nethnic affiliations would be an anachronism as the nation is
\nstruggling to unite all social and political forces to deal with
\nthe severity of the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
This is precisely the reason why the minority groups should
\nendorse the emergence of new political parties which are based on
\nmore inclusive principles.<\/p>\n
Indonesia does need political parties which promote
\nnationalism, democracy, protection of human rights, people's
\nwelfare and social justice. No religion or ethnic group would be
\nagainst these universally accepted values.<\/p>\n
Thus, by defending such values, the minority groups have
\ntransformed their minority situation into political finesse and
\nself-confidence. The prospect of the Indonesian democratic state
\nwill not depend on any kind of primordialism but on the
\nincorporation of universal humanity in its political system.<\/p>\n
Minority groups in Indonesia should learn from the Jewish
\ncommunity in the United States. They do not have their own
\npolitical party, but they can do a lot for the benefit of the
\nwhole nation. The Jewish lobby is said to have a big role in the
\nformulation and implementation of American foreign policy
\nespecially in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
There are several real suggestions that need to be considered
\nby the minority groups so that their existence and aspirations
\nmight be recognized by the whole nation.<\/p>\n
First, they have to change their \"inferiority complex\" into a
\nmore positive attitude. They have to convince themselves that,
\nlike other citizens, they have an equal opportunity to serve the
\nnation through different fields of activity. Some prominent
\nChinese-Indonesians have given their to the nation. Rudy Hartono,
\nSusi Susanti and Kwik Kian Gie, to name a few, are genuine
\npatriots in their respective professions who the nation can be
\nproud of.<\/p>\n
By displaying outstanding accomplishments in sports,
\neducation, mass media, entrepreneurship and technology, the
\nminority groups can improve Indonesia's competitive edge vis-a-
\nvis other nations.<\/p>\n
Second, it is argued that the prospect of Indonesian democracy
\nwill flourish if there is a process of convergence among
\ndifferent political orientations in its pluralistic society.<\/p>\n
However, such convergence must be achieved through promotion
\nof mutual trust and solidarity. Therefore, the minority groups
\nare expected to show their sense of nationalism and patriotism
\nbefore they put forward their partisan interests.<\/p>\n
If this suggestion is accepted, then it would be wise for the
\nminority groups not to waste their resources in establishing a
\nsectarian political party.<\/p>\n
Instead, they could take the initiative to support political
\nparties with more inclusive and nationalistic orientations.<\/p>\n
Moreover, minority parties will have to face the risk of being
\nselected out if they fail to meet certain requirements stipulated
\nby the new election law.<\/p>\n
Third, the creation of new political parties along religious
\nand ethnic affiliations could jeopardize the process of nation-
\nbuilding. The more urgent thing to do is to encourage a sense of
\ntogetherness among social members on voluntary basis.<\/p>\n
In this regard, several prominent Christian universities do
\nhave a unique responsibility. The student body of these
\nuniversities consists of a large, if not majority, proportion of
\nstudents of Chinese descent and a significant number of
\n\"indigenous\" students.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, up till now, the administrations of the
\nuniversities seem to be indifferent to the process of
\nassimilation among their students. Leaders of the universities
\ncould develop educational program with an aim to encourage mutual
\nunderstanding and compassion among students of different
\nreligions or ethnic groups.<\/p>\n
The saddening reality is that day to day social relationships
\namong students of the universities are noticeably based on their
\ndifferent ethnicities. There seems to be a gap between students
\nof Chinese descent and the rest. This kind of social dichotomy
\namong the nation's young generation needs to be changed.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, seeds of suspicion and hatred will spread right
\nfrom the very center of modern civilization. Hopefully, the
\nparticipation of the minority groups in more inclusive and
\nnationalistic political parties can strengthen Indonesia's
\nnational unity.<\/p>\n
The writer is the head of the school of international
\nrelations at Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung. He is also
\na researcher at the Parahyangan Center for International Studies.<\/p>",
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