Analysts differ on political conflicts

Analysts differ on political conflicts

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Political researcher Samsu Rizal Panggabean
says that the current political conflict among the political
elite was not alarming, while another observer Lambang Trijono is
of the opinion that the conflicts could make social and political
life in the country stagnate.

The contradictory statements were made by the two analysts at
a one-day discussion sponsored by the Center for Security and
Peace Studies (PSKP) in cooperation with the University of Gadjah
Mada here on Friday.

Rizal, who is also a lecturer at the Social and Political
Science School at the university, said that conflicts were part
of the job of the politicians. "The conflicts between the
political elite could be useful in the development of the
administration and political life. Nothing to worry about, and
nothing to be lamented."

He said the people should see the conflicts in a transitional
context due to the democratization process in the last two years.

The other speaker, Lambang said that the political rifts among
the elite reflected a crisis of trust among them.

He described, however, that the rifts among the political
elite were not as serious as the crisis within the society.

"People are facing a prolonged economic and moral crisis, and
the feeling of lack of security. These three factors could lead
to despair," he said. He stressed that the moral crisis had
resulted in violence in Maluku, Papua, Aceh and other areas.

According to Lambang, both the people and the political elite
were suffering from "immoral communalism".

He suggested that the national problem be dealt with through
national cooperation. "Ironically, the government has not yet
done much for that. The result is that public trust in the
government, political elite, law practitioners, social workers
and security officers has been steadily decreasing."

Lambang said what the country needed now was the return of the
collective national leadership by People's Consultative
Assembly's Chairman Amien Rais, President Abdurrahman Wahid, Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, and Speaker of the House of
Representatives Akbar Tandjung.

"Strong collective national leadership is the only answer to
the economic, moral and security crises," he said. (23/sur)