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.