'Elitism could lead to trouble'

'Elitism could lead to trouble'

JAKARTA (JP): House Speaker Wahono warned decision-makers
yesterday against exclusivism and playing favorites, saying such
practices may foster a feeling of helplessness among the people
and could lead to the emergence of a campaign for an "alternative
political system".

Speaking in a plenary session marking the end of the current
working session of the House of Representatives, Wahono said the
notion that opposition political parties be allowed in Indonesia,
was an example of an alternative system.

Moreover, a feeling of helplessness may cause people to
believe that certain social and political forces are deliberately
being marginalized, he said.

Wahono was apparently referring to recent comments on the
existing political system made by a number of observers,
including leading Moslem scholar Nurcholish Madjid and United
Development Party chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum.

Nurcholish, for instance, said Indonesia needs opposition
parties, while Ismail Hasan said the country's minority political
parties had been "marginalized".

"We need to avoid (favoritism) in order to prevent the
development of fatalism and helplessness ... (leading to calls
for) for an alternative political system, such as (one in which
there are) opposition parties," Wahono said.

Wahono defined favoritism as discrimination and placing the
political and economic interests of one's own group over the
people's welfare. He said such an attitude could lead to the
emergence of national security problems.

"The House believes that the stagnation in the people's
welfare, as well as discriminatory treatment placing the
interests of certain groups, both politically and economically,
above those of others, will have serious consequences," he said.

He also called for greater tolerance toward differences of
opinion. "Differences should be accommodated within the framework
of the Pancasila democracy," he said. "The Armed Forces and the
bureaucracy should...encourage...a climate for (such)
interaction."

Wahono decried what he called the "economization" of the
nation's life, under which the economy has become the main
consideration in various decision-making processes.

"Moral principles should be employed to control the dangerous,
negative effects (resulting from economic development)," he said.
That is where intellectuals and religious leaders have a role to
play, he added.

Wahono also spoke about recent conflicts between ethnic and
religious groups in several parts of the country, warning that,
unless immediately brought under control, such tensions could
have dire consequences for the nation.

He suggested a number of steps that the government should
take, including "sincerely ensuring equity" of the fruits of
development, the strengthening of nationalism and the prevention
of fanaticism.

"Further, we need to solidify unity among all members of
society," he added.

Over the course of its latest two-month sitting, the House has
deliberated seven bills, including draft laws on the capital
market, correctional institutions, customs and excise, small
businesses and mortgages.

The House will resume its activities on Nov. 6.

According to Wahono, the legislators have been giving special
attention to initial deliberation of the 1996-1997 state budget.
Wahono said the House has encouraged the government to prepare a
Five-yearly Goals guideline setting out details of the Five-year
Development Plan.

The House has also fulfilled its tasks of controlling the
government. "We have obtained many found out about many things
from monitoring (the government's performance)...(such as)
deviations from procedure, poor internal supervision and
violation of laws," he said.

"The House leaders hope the government will pay serious
attention to both the hearings (with the House) and the (House's)
findings," he said.

Wahono touched on many other developments in society,
including the various "sadistic" crimes committed over the past
weeks. "It's unimaginable that a country adhering to the state
ideology Pancasila and whose people are known to be friendly and
civilized could be the scene of such horrendous crimes," he said.

"The House urges the law enforcers to impose stiff penalties
on the perpetrators so that such crimes may never occur again,"
he said. "The House believes that the sadistic television
programs aired have influenced behavior...enabling such inhumane
acts to be performed."

"It's time for the government to introduce order in television
broadcasting so that (television stations) will be more selective
in airing programs," he said. (swe)