Compromise in politics

Compromise in politics

Politicians, both in the legislative body and in political
parties, should heed the proposal for a political compromise, a
subject which has become a topic of public discourse recently.
Regardless of the suggestion that the position of head of state
be separated from that of head of government, or that a rainbow
Cabinet be established or even that compromises be reached
through the convening of a special session of the People's
Consultative Assembly, a compromise is important in substance. A
compromise means, in principle, allowing certain concessions to
other parties at the expense of each party's absolute interest.
Every party will enjoy a proportional benefit from this win-win
situation. In the context of the dispute between the President
and the legislative body, a political compromise must not
necessarily be construed as power sharing, which is only one
possible form of a compromise.

It is really surprising, therefore, to learn that some parties
have shown their a priori rejection of a proposal for a political
compromise. A compromise is commonplace in politics. Besides, it
must also be borne in mind that political practices in Indonesia
are based on the principle of agreement through deliberation,
which is the manifestation of a compromise. It is only
appropriate, then, to consider political forces rejecting any
compromises provocateurs seeking to create chaos. A political
compromise is actually an elegant way to adopt in saving the
nation.

In the absence of a compromise, it is hard to imagine how this
nation can avoid bloodshed. If the House of Representatives
prefers the convening of a special session of the People's
Consultative Assembly as a means to unseat Gus Dur, it would be
difficult to get a guarantee that the masses will not run amok.
Although this special session would be constitutional, a decision
to convene it will not guarantee that our national security will
be in a stable condition. Unless politicians have lost their
conscience, they will prioritize their efforts on how to reach
compromises.

DONALD PAMJAITAN

Tangerang, Banten