Civil society not alien to RI: Scholar
JAKARTA (JP): Civil society is not an alien concept to Indonesia because Pancasila, the state ideology, embraces the idea of equality before God, a renowned Indonesia scholar said yesterday.
"All such equal believers are said to find the same quality of grace in God's sight, and deserve corresponding respect from government," said Michael Leifer, best known here for his 1983 book, Indonesia's Foreign Policy.
The London School of Economics professors was one of the speakers during a session entitled "The challenge of creating a civil society in Indonesia."
The session, moderated by Harry Tjan Silalahi, was the last part of the one-day "Indonesia and the World at the Beginning of the 21st Century" conference organized jointly by The Jakarta Post and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Leifer acknowledged reservations about the civil society concept, which was originally coined by the 18th century Scottish philosopher Adam Ferguson. Indonesians are particularly skeptical because they have enjoyed stability, "remarkable economic achievement and an enhanced international standing."
Regardless of the reservations, he said, civil society is essentially "pluralism and the freedom to associate ... and choice is the essence of personal and political freedom."
A "powerful symbol" rather than a perfect political model, he said the concept stands for human dignity and the right not to be subject to political oppression.
Ideals
Furthermore, the need for such ideals here is brought about by "economic consumers (who) now seek to become political consumers."
The need, said Leifer, is evident in the growth of non- governmental organizations which now number around 6,000. Their concerns, he said, are particularly a product of fundamental social changes, and negative effects of development in rural areas.
"Political consumerism has spread beyond the middle class," said Leifer.
However, he noted three obstacles to realizing a civil society.
The first is "the culture of security", which is a long- standing priority of the New Order government.
The second problem, he said, is the military's dual function doctrine that makes the Indonesian Armed Forces a political force as well as a defense and security force.
Leifer questioned how the status, justified by the military due to historical circumstances, can still be justified considering Indonesia's economic progress.
Privilege
"The national standing of the institution may itself be damaged, particularly if the popular view emerges that what is being protected is corporate privilege rather than national interests."
The third is political succession, in which the "conventional wisdom", he noted, would be to maintain an orderly change by avoiding the opening of "Pandora's box of political excitement."
These factors, he continued, hinder significant social change, including the diminishing threat of communism.
Towards the 21st century, Leifer said, the overall challenge to the country's version of a civil society is whether or not the government will continue to address the future based on "traumatic" experiences.
Another speaker, noted Moslem scholar Abdurrahman Wahid, foresees difficulties in creating a viable civil society "as long as people don't see the need for addressing basic human rights."
Strangely, he said, scores of people have high hopes. Tolerance lies with "ordinary people who know that they can survive by tolerating each other, working with each other, and tolerating the government."
Jacob Oetama, the chief editor of the Kompas daily, was more optimistic, saying that the country's historical legacy has provided fertile soil for a civil society. (anr)