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.