Be wary of reform distractions: Arbi
Be wary of reform distractions: Arbi
JAKARTA (JP): Superfluous issues thrown out to knock the
reform movement off track can only be overcome through
cooperation between campuses, political parties and the public, a
political expert said on Thursday.
In a discussion on the role of campuses in the reform
movement, the University of Indonesia's Arbi Sanit said the
government and the military were exploiting "nonsense" issues,
such as denials of a coup and endorsing the establishment of a
civilian militia.
"I fear we are getting trapped and drifting away in such
issues which are a lot of nonsense," Arbi told the forum held by
the Cooperation Forum for University Alumni Associations. It was
attended by alumni, rectors and lecturers.
Arbi appealed for more cooperation between campuses and the
public, including political parties, "to draw up strategies on
how reform should be applied in all fields of life".
He praised a meeting of 78 political parties earlier this
month held by Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. Continued
cooperation would provide a neutral forum, Arbi said, with the
form of strategies used by political parties, student movements
"or professors in their lectures".
He agreed with other speakers that students were still at the
forefront of the movement, but feared they would become
sidetracked by issues such as dealing with street barricades.
Arbi said citizens were caught in the middle of the power of
the military and bureaucracy and the initial rise of political
parties. While parties were still weak, he said, movements mainly
by students would continue until the election process succeeded.
"My definition of the election's success would be that it is
democratic... and that it produces a majority party and a
leadership with strong legitimacy."
If the election slated for next June failed, the student and
public movements would continue, which he warned would be
dangerous given the instability.
Other speakers included businessman Arifin Panigoro, known for
his support of the student movement, Sarwono Kusumaatmadja of the
Movement for Indonesian Justice and Unity (GKPB) and Widi, an
activist from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB).
Widi, who said he was "sick" of the word reform and its
overuse, distortion and involvement in the loss of many victims,
wanted a "revolution of nonviolence". For instance, he said, ITB
could fly a flag at half-staff on its campus "until the dual role
of the Armed Forces ends".
Psychologist Sarlito Wirawan reminded students to remain
"rational" in their actions while rector of the Jakarta Islamic
Studies Institute Azyumardi Azra also expressed concern that
student rallies were losing their focus.
Arifin said students should be involved in monitoring next
year's polls. Sarwono said the public should keep a close watch
on deliberations on political laws in the House of
Representatives and maintain effective pressure to avoid laws
providing loopholes for the return of "old forces" of the former
regime. (anr)