Amien Rais: A new political paradigm for Indonesia's future

Amien Rais: A new political paradigm for Indonesia's future

By Jusuf Wanandi

JAKARTA (JP): It is refreshing to hear Amien Rais speak
frankly about critical matters facing Indonesia. Not only is he
direct in explaining the issues, he also brings coherency to the
topics. This shows that he has given a lot of thought to
Indonesia's future development.

He definitely must give more consideration to Indonesia's
future economic reforms and policies. To consolidate his chances
for the presidency, he needs a concise agenda. Economic reforms
will be critical for his success and are essential for the
viability and survival of the nation.

He already has the principles right; assuring analysts he will
not limit the role of the market, including the international
market, for the day to day functioning of the economy. He also
agrees that there should be no redistribution of assets by force.

When asked about the possibility of emulating Malaysia's
affirmative policies for bumiputras (indigenous people), he
responded by emphasizing that KKN (an Indonesian acronym for
corruption, collusion and nepotism) resulted. Although he has
considered this idea in the past, he no longer thinks that it has
application in Indonesia.

He is more interested in exploring Nelson Mandela's South
African model, in which big companies are better regulated, while
Small and Medium Economies (SMEs) are given assistance to
participate in the market. He stresses the program should be
implemented without any inference to race or ethnicity.

Amien is clearer on political issues. Here, he has
demonstrated his courage to express views that are bold and
imaginative. He is convinced Indonesia's diverse society should
be led by a government that has support not just from one group
or one political party. According to Amien, even the Moslem
pillar is not powerful enough to support a government that can
effectively manage the whole nation.

This explains the rationale behind his proposed coalition with
Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan), in which nationalism is emphasized. Amien considers
the concept to be another important and vital pillar of the
society. A coalition formed on this basis can produce a decisive
government that will be able to manage the diversity inherit in
the country.

As a democrat he appreciates as only fair, the right of the
party which obtains the largest share of votes in the next
general election, to nominate the president of the republic.

If asked, he is willing to play second fiddle to the winner,
with an acknowledged preference toward Megawati's party. If his
party is voted in at number three, he is willing to play the role
of an honorable and credible opposition.

He acknowledges that the political role of the army should be
phased out over time. He also argues that the East Timor issue
should be solved during a transition period, that would
eventually involve a referendum. He regards Habibie's policy to
dump East Timor with its offer of immediate independence, should
autonomy be rejected, a highly irresponsible act. Amien argues
that the president has no authority to release East Timor, since
it is the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) which must decide
whether to grant independence to the troubled province.

Regarding former president Soeharto, he claims that a judicial
solution is divisive and a long-term process and therefore he
suggests a political solution. He believes Soeharto has to
recognize his past abuse of power. Public broadcasts on
television and radio, in which Soeharto apologizes and asks for
forgiveness from the Indonesian people, are necessary, Amien
argues. At the same time, he should return ill-gotten wealth
amassed during his presidency by himself and his family.

Amien is most remarkable for his courage to oppose Soeharto
and his excesses when nobody dared to voice these concerns. His
presence during the student protest movement since early 1998
will not easily be forgotten. Most important, however, is his
clear vision regarding Indonesia's future.

Of significance is his willingness to receive advise and
criticism. He admits he made excessive statements when he
returned from studying abroad in the early 1980s. He especially
regrets statements made concerning the role and dominance of the
minority Chinese and Christian groups. But he has matured and
overcome those prejudices after learning more about them.

Despite his role as former chairman of Muhammadiyah -- one of
the two largest Moslem social organizations -- Amien understands
he has to establish a new paradigm in Indonesian politics. He
wants to establish a party which is national in principles,
policies and membership.

This accords with his belief that in a nation as diverse as
Indonesia, only national principles will reach out to all groups
in society. It will not be easy for him to balance the two
aspects of his party. On the one hand, he wants to continue to
receive support from the Moslem grassroots through his
traditional base of Muhammadiyah. On the other hand, he wishes to
reach out to the minorities and nationalists in order to
implement his new paradigm and realize his vision.

Again he has displayed courage with his readiness to attempt
the undertaking by the establishment of the National Mandate
Party (PAN). Among the minority groups, some sections remain
uncertain about the changes in Amien's views and in his more
centrist political leanings. However, the majority are willing to
give him the chance to implement the principles, because they
recognize that the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Amien is working assiduously to organize his party. Chances
are good that his organization will be one of the big three along
with Megawati's PDI Perjuangan and Gus Dur's National Awakening
Party (PKB) in the June general election. His chance to become
the next president of Indonesia is not to be discounted.

Indonesia is in urgent need of a leader with vision, who is
courageous and honest and who makes every effort to reach out to
minority groups. Indonesia needs a new political paradigm of
inclusiveness and plurality.

The writer is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Centre
for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta.