'Aufklarung' for new RI

From Neraca

Changing a paradigm is not a simple matter. The pattern adopted during 32 years of New Order rule may have turned into an axiom, especially if a bad paradigm has been implanted coercively by means of power in pursuit of goals devoid of morality.

To the Indonesian people, an electoral process is the only process conforming to the logic of democracy. Some quarters have tried to bring forth a national leader without an electoral process, something which is against democracy. Everybody must be alert over this possibility to ensure that authoritarianism will not be revived in a new face in this country.

The June 7, 1999, general election is the hope of 200 million Indonesians. New Order authoritarianism must never be given any room in this country. It is now the time for all Indonesians to hold their heads erect.

Differences are God's biggest bestowal on humans. Thanks to differences, we reach our maturity and show tolerance to and love others. Differences are not subversion but blessings.

Democracy emerging because of differences is something which will never dim. Democracy has allowed room for sound competition. The practice of self-awareness through symbols and myths must no longer be adopted.

We must strive to make the general election an activity based on a rational process. It must never be allowed to be a mere emotional process. Every vote in an electoral process is meaningful and significant in determining the course the nation will take.

Therefore, it is now time to make a clean break with "intransparency", a condition which has been prevailing all these years. People must not remain in the prison of the political elite. It is the people, not the political elite, that hold the sovereignty.

The people have the right to determine their own stance and their own leader. Therefore, the people have the right to be informed of the vision and work program of their future leaders. It is the duty of the future leaders to hold dialogs with the people before they sit in the seat of power.

On the basis of this thought, we, the Committee for Debates involving Candidates for Indonesia's President, herewith invite all candidates for the next Indonesian presidency to be present in our program called Public Debates of Candidates for Indonesia's President.

Don't belittle the people by saying that they are not ready for such public debates. Belittling the people means denying the sociohistorical reality of the Indonesian nation.

The period after the collapse of Soeharto's regime is the Aufklarung for the renaissance (rebirth) of the Indonesian nation. May God pick for the Indonesian people a national leader with a pure heart and an elegant soul, a statesman well-versed in knowledge and science.

SALEMBA FORUM

University of Indonesia

Depok