Angry men and Clinton's List

Angry men and Clinton's List

From Kompas

Many of our politicians and legislators are angry about
"Clinton's List" published in the Jan. 2 edition of The
International Herald Tribune. The list says that Indonesia is
among the countries which are not democratic and do not respect
people's freedom.

I appeal to these people not to get emotional and angry too
quickly. Perhaps it is not ethical for a foreign country to
evaluate us, but it would be wiser to study and evaluate their
findings. Do not judge "who" says so but "what" is said. Are we
really not yet democratic?

Let us ask the question whether we all put democracy into
practice. Do legislators really voice the people's voice? Can we
openly express our opinion? Can we accept differences of opinion?
Do we exercise control in the people's interest?

It is common knowledge that most legislators only say yes to
decisions taken, adding comments such as "approved", "of the same
opinion" or "understandable". It has been proven that many of us
do not dare discuss subjects like "justice", "national cake",
"social disparities", "direction of development", "business of
officials' children". Is that not proof enough that we are not
yet democratic? The many pro-democracy activists also indicate
that we may not yet practice democracy correctly.

To the politicians and legislators who have hastily expressed
their ire against Clinton's List, I would suggest some honest
introspection.

I recall the case of a school principal in Central Java some
years ago. He was angered by a student's report about a survey
(on cohabitation, if I am not mistaken) which put his school in a
negative light. The student was expelled even though his findings
were correct. As intellectuals it would not be right for us to
profess the same bigoted outlook.

RENVILLE ALMATSIER

Jakarta