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)