The masses behind East Java rallies<\/p>\n
East Java's rallies have drawn much attention over the past
\nfew days. The Jakarta Post talked to Surabaya-based sociologist
\nHotman Siahaan on the outpouring of the masses there amid
\nprotests by supporters and opponents of President Abdurrahman
\n"Gus Dur" Wahid in other areas. Excerpts:<\/p>\n
Question: Are we seeing a turnout of "people power" in the
\nrecent rallies?<\/p>\n
Answer: That's going too far. In a "people power" movement
\npeople don't see the government as their representative anymore.
\nThe movement involves all elements of society, not just one or
\ntwo small groups of people. Masses demonstrating in East Java
\nwere only expressing their solidarity ...<\/p>\n
You have lived here for almost half your life; how would you
\ndescribe the characteristics of the East Java people?<\/p>\n
There is no such thing as "East Java people". East Java is an
\nadministrative frame to call a province. It cannot be used to
\ndescribe a social or cultural behavior.<\/p>\n
There are many cultures here, it's very plural. Each has its
\nown characteristics.<\/p>\n
East Javanese are known as being open and brash. Do you agree?<\/p>\n
For some areas, yes. The Arek culture, which is the most
\nexposed, covers Surabaya, Malang, Sidoarjo, Pasuruan and Jombang.
\nThey are known as brave, open and very expressive. But in other
\nparts of East Java, we have Mataraman in Kediri, Ponorogo,
\nMadiun ... (where) people are not that open.<\/p>\n
One of their main philosophies is backing off and engaging in
\nmuch sweet talk to win the game. The eastern parts of Banyuwangi
\nand the surrounding area house the Osing culture. Then there is
\nTengger in Mount Bromo area, Pandalungan in the central region,
\nand don't forget the Madurese, who have very different
\ncharacteristics.<\/p>\n
How would you define the communities of the Nahdlatul Ulama
\n(NU), the organization formerly chaired by Gus Dur?<\/p>\n
This is easier. Basically NU people regard their leaders very
\nhighly, almost as being superhuman, like an apostle. That's why
\nthey are very obedient to what their leaders say. Besides, this
\ngroup of people has a strong base in grass roots.<\/p>\n
Were the demonstrators' behavior typical of NU followers?<\/p>\n
No, you can't stereotype people like that. The NU is the NU,
\nand it is found everywhere in Indonesia, not just in East Java.<\/p>\n
In other areas, they don't behave similar to NU people in East
\nJava, which is in itself plural. (Protesters) were most probably
\nfrom the Arek, the strongest subculture in East Java. But some
\nother subcultures might possibly have merged with them.<\/p>\n
Some community leaders claim that East Java is NU territory.<\/p>\n
NU leaders always claim that East Java is their region, but
\nthe election results proved that the National Awakening Party
\n(founded by Gus Dur) got only more or less 30 percent of votes
\nhere. Rallies by NU people are acts of free expression and
\nexamples of democracy. But it was a democracy focusing on a
\nleader. Especially because our President, who they fanatically
\nsupport, is not only President but also an ulema, a wali
\n(guardian) to them.<\/p>\n
People in Yogyakarta also supported the President and
\ncondemned Amien Rais, a leader in their hometown. Your comment?<\/p>\n
It shows that nobody can really determine which region belongs
\nto which group. Even though the Muhammadiyah was founded in
\nYogyakarta, and Amien Rais basically lives there, I am not
\nsurprised that he has no roots in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
The President and NU political leaders stated earlier that
\nthey no longer had control over the masses.<\/p>\n
I cannot accept the justification that the kyai (religious
\nscholars) and ulema couldn't control their people nor stop the
\nviolence. Politically, they had to give such a statement ... The
\nPresident and other ulema and kyai could stop the violence and
\ncould control their people if they wanted to.<\/p>\n
The rallies (on Wednesday) displayed good control. I am
\nimpressed, that with hundreds of thousands of people (apart from
\nGolkar's office), no other glass window was broken, no shop nor
\noffice was destroyed.<\/p>\n
Compared to past violent demonstrations, demonstrators were
\nquite in order. This might emphasize that they were under control
\nand had a clear plan.<\/p>\n
Why did they only target Golkar offices?<\/p>\n
Golkar is the easiest victim to target. It is the common enemy
\nfor many elements in society.<\/p>\n
People have also condemned the legislature (DPR) as not being
\nrepresentative of the people, but of only political parties.<\/p>\n
Yes, the people are right. The DPR is more a representative of
\npolitical parties' voices. DPR's ambition is so strong, it
\nundermines the people's aspirations." (Sirikit Syah)<\/p>",
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