A new format for a new era

A new format for a new era

Because the general election will be held in May, this year
has been labeled a year of politics. This is quite natural, since
experience shows that political activities tend to increase in
years in which general elections are held. This political
activity expresses itself in a variety of ways and spheres,
including those that encourage political thinking. Both to
educate the public and to popularize Indonesia's own political
concepts, and as a response to the various political thoughts
that have arisen in our society, many government officials have
offered their views on those developments. In all these
arguments, there is one pattern that can be used as a common
point of departure -- that of development, and in particular the
fact that development generates both growth and change.

It does indeed take a good measure of intelligence and
statesmanship to be able, each time, to arrive at a better
equilibrium in order to accommodate the demands made by progress
and change. Actually, the exchange of views and comments that are
taking place -- among others through the media -- are not
designed to sow confusion or to increase it, but rather to help
us find that higher point of equilibrium. This is the process of
finding and shaping a political format that is adaptive,
innovative and creative -- the process of revitalization.

A possible problem is the fact that community life, endowed as
it is with political dimensions, is driven not only by shared
objectives and considerations which are lofty in nature, but also
by political processes, which are by their very nature imbued or
even characterized by the application of power and force and tend
to be motivated by considerations and interests that are
subjective in nature.

Thus we can understand why control and reform are necessary.
This is a consequence of acknowledging that we are not angels,
but human beings who, even when driven by the best of intentions
and motivations, can be wrong, ignorant and make mistakes. A
critical mind that is at the same time constructive and branches
away from shared principles, directives and objectives, is
increasingly needed in order to freshen not only our political
format, but also our economic and other formats. How to make sure
that this dialog, this exchange of arguments and this general
process of communication does not create undesirable side effects
and will not be misconstrued, this is the homework we have to do.

-- Kompas, Jakarta