Color and politics in Surakarta

Color and politics in Surakarta

Surakarta is in the midst of an interesting change. A number
of public buildings that were once white have been painted
yellow. Public buildings elsewhere are normally whitewashed
because it makes them easier to see, especially during the night.

But activists of the United Development Party (PPP) have in
the past few days repainted public buildings around the city's
Alun-Alun square and Grand Mosque white. Their argument is that
everywhere else white is the standard color for public
facilities.

The idea to paint the buildings yellow came from the local
authorities. Now, on seeing the fresh yellow paint already
replaced by white, the local authorities are offended. They have
threatened to press legal charges against PPP unless party
activists stop their action and paint the buildings yellow again.

The local party activists, on the other hand, are getting the
support of the provincial party board in Semarang and have
threatened to take the local authorities to the State
Administrative Court. They have also threatened to repaint all
yellow public facility buildings in Central Java white.

The case is interesting in its development because of its
political nuances. The controversy will spread to other provinces
and feelings against and in support of the government will
surface creating hostilities.

One suggestion is to preserve the present status quo while
waiting for a regulation on the issue to be decreed. During the
process of drafting such a regulation it is expected a heated
debate would erupt in the local legislature. This would be better
for the growth of our democracy.

At the same time, however, the debate will go on in the
community, which would adversely affect the situation in these
pre-election months. The local administration will have to accept
the reality of becoming unpopular among a section of the
community.

Another political aspect is the impression of a conflict,
which could lead to popular sympathy. Planned or otherwise, two
participating parties in the upcoming general elections are now
engaged in a contest. As in a silat (indigenous Indonesian
martial art) contest, one contestant prepares to strike while the
other feels he has the right to do the same.

People should not be forced to carry out an idea. People's
representatives need to be invited to participate in dialog. It
would be better if the problem could be solved locally and no one
had to be a loser.

-- Republika, Jakarta