Bilveer Singh goes against the stream
Bilveer Singh goes against the stream
By Johannes Simbolon
JAKARTA (JP): The 16-square-meter room is packed with books. On one wall is an unobtrusive wooden plaque stating the Javanese proverb "ing ngarso sung tulodo, ing madyo mangun karso, tut wuri handayani" (setting an example from the front, forging aspirations from the middle, giving good guidance from the rear).
It is a Javanese slogan telling leaders how to behave.
The cluttered room isn't in Indonesia, but at the National University of Singapore. It is not owned by a Javanese, or an Indonesian, but a Singaporean of Sikh descent, Dr. Bilveer Singh. The plaque illustrates Singh's enthusiasm toward Indonesia, and Java in particular.
"Hinduism came to Java, Javanized. Christianity came to Java, Javanized. Islam came to Java, Javanized. That is the power of the Javanese," he said recently, proudly pointing to the plaque.
Singh is still young, only 39, but has already written 14 books, five on Indonesia. Three of his books on Indonesia were published in the past year, contributing to his reputation as one of the most prolific Indonesianists today.
His books are: ABRI and the Security of Southeast Asia: The Role and Thinking of General L. Benny Moerdani, published by Singapore Institute of International Affairs 1994, where he serves as the Honorary Secretary; The Garuda and Bear: Soviet- Indonesia Relations from Lenin to Gorbachev, his thesis for his doctoral degree at the Australian National University in 1987, updated and published by Gadjah Mada University Press in 1994; and his latest book, Dwifungsi ABRI: The Dual Function of the Indonesian Armed Forces, published by Singapore Institute of International Affairs this year.
He is now writing two other books on Indonesia, one on East Timor and the other on the presidential succession. He is approaching leading Indonesian politicians to research his works.
He is obviously impressed with the plaque's Javanese proverb because it creeps up in his books.
"It's an oriental philosophy. Western people don't understand it, that's why they fail to see Indonesia in fairness, in its totality. But I do," he said.
His book on General (ret.) Moerdani, in which he argues that the man greatly influenced security developments in Southeast Asia under the ASEAN regional cooperation, sold out in a month in Singapore bookstores and had to be reprinted in August 1994. The book is especially interesting because it contains the author's long interview with the former general, placing the general in a perspective not found in other books.
"People were excited because it was about Moerdani," Singh said with a laugh.
His book on Soviet-Indonesian relations may look less relevant today following the collapse of the communist superpower. Yet, it is considered the only book that completely covers Indonesia's experience with the USSR.
Mainstream
Singh attacks the Western ideal that places civilians above the military. He defends the dwifungsi (dual function) of the Indonesian armed forces, their military and socio-political role.
After filling 200 pages with the origin, development and the role ABRI played in every crisis in the nation, Singh says, "dwifungsi ABRI was only a pledge of concern for the well-being of the nation and people. Over the years, ABRI has shown that is not only concerned [sic] with military matters but also non- military ones that can affect the unity and unitary nature of the state... this duality of ABRI has and will continue to shape ABRI's orientation towards the country's politics and its process."
Singh does not mean that the country must let ABRI monopolize the top political portfolio. Instead, ABRI should be involved and present in the core of decision making. This means ABRI must always be represented in the MPR and DPR, the country's legislative bodies. The numbers and positions held by ABRI are not important. What is important is the quality of its input in shaping the country's direction.
"Thus, theoretically, in the future, it is possible to have a president who is non-ABRI. What is important is that dwifungsi ABRI must always be pursued and this could well be actualized under a civilian president," he says.
Singh's view of democracy in Indonesia also conflicts with the West.
"Definitely, there is democracy in Indonesia. Who says there is no democracy?" Singh demanded.
Democracy reflects each society's level of development as well as its needs. Western countries needed 350 years to adjust to it. Indonesia is still in the first phase of adjustment. Compared to Western countries at the same stage, Indonesian democracy is far superior, Singh argued.
"When they (Western countries) started, what did they do to the workers? Very cruel. In North America, what did they do to the blacks? Very cruel. Slavery," Singh claimed.
Singh is very different from Western observers of Indonesia, who enjoy taking a provocative stance. Singh comes from a different world. He watches his neighbor from Singapore, which, according to Western scholars, has much affinity with Indonesia as far as politics is concerned. This is perhaps why he is more understanding toward Indonesia and plays by its rules.
"I don't like to go to America, or to Australia as much as I wish to go to Indonesia every time I have the time and opportunity. That it is relatively cheap and nearby helps. I even told my wife once that I will probably retire in Yogyakarta," he said.
Singh writes spends his spare moments writing with commitment -- he feels guilty if he doesn't. He enjoys being a scholar and considers himself lucky.
"A good Sikh must be a 'three-S' man. A saint (pious man), soldier and scholar. My father was a soldier when he came to Singapore. Thank God, I am lucky for being both a scholar and Singaporean officer," he said.
As for his saintliness, only God knows.