Democratization through evolution possible: Gus Dur
Democratization through evolution possible: Gus Dur
SEMARANG (JP): A Moslem scholar says it is possible to achieve
an open and democratic society, the nation's founding fathers'
ultimate dream, without changing the structure of the state.
Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Moslem
organization, said in a discussion on Sunday that "changes" can
evolve from society itself even as the structure of the nation
remains the same.
"The 1945 Constitution can remain the same," he said,
acknowledging, however, that reforms are still needed,
particularly in relation to the balance of power and authority
among state bodies.
Abdurrahman, better known to the public as Gus Dur, said the
current balance of power is determined greatly by the laws. This
situation, however, is starting to change as studies have
identified at least eleven political laws which might be against
the Constitution, he said.
"In the long run, this means that the struggle toward a more
open society is identical with the efforts to establish a more
democratic legal system," he said.
Abdurrahman argued that an open society should be
"egalitarian, not capitalistic as it is now, or socialistic as it
was during the Old Order administration under President Sukarno."
An open society, he said, is marked by equal treatment for all
social and cultural groups. "There shouldn't be any privileges
given to certain groups, nor should there be any confrontation
between the forces of religion and secularism," he said.
He said "secularism is not a major sin," and that there's
currently a process of secularization in various spheres of life.
He cited as an example the recent heated debates on the
juvenile court bill. "There has been tension in the deliberation
because the bill was drawn up in disregard of a number of
religious considerations," he said.
The bill, if passed, will regulate, among other things, the
adoption of children of certain religions by adults of different
faiths. A number of Moslem groups have protested at the draft
law, calling it a threat to Islam.
Abdurrahman also cited the state's control over religious life
as another example of increasing secularization. The Ministry of
Religious Affairs, for example, has the authority to determine
many aspects of the public's religious life and one has to follow
their directions in order not to be in open opposition to the
government, he said.
"This secularization is dangerous for Islam," he said. "The
Ministry of Religious Affairs should be supportive of religious
activities, but not trying to control them." (31)