Election watchdog

Election watchdog

Anyone who dreams of a more democratic Indonesia should
applaud the establishment of the Independent Election Monitoring
Committee (KIPP) in Jakarta last week. The presence of the
independent watchdog will of course not improve Indonesia's
democracy overnight, but it proves that there is a strong and
growing demand among the Indonesians, particularly the middle
class, for more say in shaping the country's future.

Because elections are the only means for most Indonesians to
participate politically, the people naturally expect an election
to be free, honest and fair. It is well known that every election
here, held every five years since 1971, has been marred with
irregularities. Vote-rigging, coercion and other manipulations
have been commonplace.

One reason blamed for the electoral shortcomings is the
blurred distinction between the bureaucracy and the ruling Golkar
faction. The bureaucracy, which controls the election mechanism,
is practically the Golkar's main supporting pillar. It is
therefore understandable that certain bureaucrats have tried very
hard, and sometimes very disrespectfully, to ensure a Golkar
victory. For decades, the minority United Development Party (PPP)
and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) have cried foul over
the irregularities. Their grievances have been ignored.

The establishment of the KIPP is therefore a fresh hope for
the public. At last the voice of conscience has emerged and cried
"enough is enough". The age of real democracy is coming, and
consequently all will have to abide by its new values.

The KIPP's impressive lineup is filled with prominent public
figures. Chaired by former Tempo newsweekly magazine editor
Goenawan Mohamad, the list includes people like the respected
Moslem scholar and Indonesian Moslem Intellectual Association
executive member Nurcholish Madjid, former Jakarta Governor Ali
Sadikin, noted lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution, chairman of the
Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union Mochtar Pakpahan, and the
paranormal Permadi Satrio Wiwoho. The KIPP is made up of a
coalition of people with different backgrounds who, at last, have
found a common platform.

Yet, the most interesting aspect is how the government's
response in the past week has changed from animosity to
conciliation. When the plan to establish an independent poll
watchdog began to surface a few weeks back, it was met with
strong resistance from the government. Minister of Defense and
Security Edi Sudradjat, for example, said that an independent
electoral monitoring body was not needed.

Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung rejected the idea a few
days later. "It is obviously unconstitutional," he was quoted as
saying. Then Golkar chairman Harmoko joined the chorus by
announcing that Golkar rejected the establishment of such a
watchdog because "it would be against the 1945 Constitution and a
1985 general election law."

Then, surprisingly, ABRI Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt.
Gen. Syarwan Hamid softened the government's tone the other day
when he stated that he saw the establishment of a watchdog as "a
positive intention from members of the public who want to make
the election smooth and better, whatever the organization is
called."

Judging from his statement, the KIPP could get a chance to
survive. The change in ABRI's stance might have been caused by an
updated assessment by ABRI leaders of the real nature of the
KIPP, which will only monitor the election and will not involve
itself in the election mechanism as many officials have assumed.
The military's new stance may also be an effort by ABRI to pacify
the public's confusion and anger over Army Chief Gen. Hartono's
remark last week that all ABRI members are Golkar cadres.

Whatever the reason, the military's change of heart is a
positive. An independent watchdog isn't something to be treated
as an enemy. It is just a moral force. Common sense, however,
dictates that Golkar will dominate for some time to come, and
that, at the moment, a single majority system led by Golkar is
the best option for Indonesia.

But. It would be great to see Golkar win an election secara ksatria
bukan raksasa (in a respectful and lawful manner), to borrow the
words of former Golkar chairman Wahono. It would be good for
democracy in Indonesia, and good for our conscience.