Society needs more time for democracy: Observers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Observers noted here over the weekend that both
\nthe government and society at large would have to mature further
\nbefore democratization could occur in the country.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a seminar on Menuju Pendewasaan Politik Bangsa
\n(Toward the Nation's Political Maturity), they said that events
\nof the past year showed that the nation still lacked political
\nmaturity.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) senior member Sabam Sirait
\nmaintained that the government was largely still unresponsive to
\npeople's political demands.<\/p>\n
\"The nation's political immaturity has been evident since the
\nbeginning of the year, with rigid government rulings in response
\nto the public's calls for change to the general election system,\"
\nsaid the former legislator.<\/p>\n
Political observers and activists have repeatedly criticized
\nthe proportional electoral system, which they claim fails to
\nelect legislators who are accountable to their constituents.<\/p>\n
Sabam said the decision by the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) to belittle the proposal for a presidential term limitation
\nwas another example of the nation's political immaturity.<\/p>\n
Sabam, however, said that political immaturity was not only
\nthe government's failing but also society's.<\/p>\n
He cited the prolonged internal bickering within the PDI which
\nhe said was caused by PDI members' misunderstanding of democratic
\nprinciples.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Amien Rais, chairman of the Muhammadiyah Moslem
\nOrganization, criticized the Assembly's unwillingness to at least
\nconsider limiting the presidential term.<\/p>\n
\"We claim that we are a democratic society. Yet, we are still
\nwilling to have a lifelong president,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Assembly will convene in March to elect a president and
\nvice president and adopt the State Policy Guidelines.<\/p>\n
The dominant Golkar faction has declared it will renominate
\nPresident Soeharto, who ends his sixth consecutive presidential
\nterm next year, for another term.<\/p>\n
Political scientist Indria Samego suggested that political
\nmaturity could not emerge without the willingness to interchange
\nideas.<\/p>\n
\"We have to develop a positive attitude toward other people's
\ninput and criticism,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Anas Urbaningrum highlighted a similar point, saying that
\npolitical elites were insensitive to the prevailing dynamism,
\nespecially among the young generation.<\/p>\n
\"Riots and people's violent actions happened in response to
\nthe elites' inability to comprehend the ongoing dynamism, which
\nobviously was the result of development,\" said Anas who is
\nchairman of the Association of Islamic Students (HMI).<\/p>\n
The seminar, which was organized by the Muhammadiyah Moslem
\nStudents Organization in the main hall of the National Institute
\nof Sciences (LIPI) Saturday, was marred by a minor incident in
\nwhich the first speaker walked out.<\/p>\n
Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo had just begun his scheduled 20-
\nminute presentation but was twice interrupted by the moderator,
\nEkky Syahrudin, who told him to get straight to the point.<\/p>\n
Sayidiman, a former governor of the National Resilience
\nInstitute, left the seminar and the organizers turned to Sabam to
\ncontinue the discussion. (imn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/society-needs-more-time-for-democracy-observers-1447893297",
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