Expert applauds new sociopolitical alliances' motives
Expert applauds new sociopolitical alliances' motives
SEMARANG (JP): The emergence of new sociopolitical alliances in Indonesia is a healthy sign of a growing democracy and the military should have no fear about the impact on stability, a political scholar says.
This is a normal trend which can contribute to the on-going democratization process and foster a more balanced political climate, Nurdien HK of the University of Diponegoro told The Jakarta Post.
"I am quite sure this phenomenon will continue since it represents a positive manifestation of the competition between various sociopolitical forces in a society with democratic aspirations," Nurdien said.
He was commenting on a statement by Armed Forces (ABRI) Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid expressing concern at the emergence of new organizations, each one with political motives which could undermine the current political stability.
Syarwan did not refer to any particular organization but said some were established by people opposed to the New Order administration and others by antiestablishment people.
Syarwan said the advent of these alliances come as the political climate in Indonesia heats up in the run-up to next year's general election.
Nurdien said such fears were groundless and that these alliances are an outgrowth of increasing democratization and openness which results in a more critical society.
Some of these new groups emerged with the intention of redressing the current political imbalance caused by Golkar, the political group, and the military, he said.
In such an environment, the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party are sidelined, he said.
"What's clear is Golkar has become the favorite son of the government compared to the other political groups such as PPP and PDI," Nurdien said.
Nurdien said it is ABRI's duty to help bridge the imbalance.
The emergence of these new alliances should also force ABRI to ponder its own political role, he said.
Soehardjo S.S, another University of Diponegoro staff lecturer, said ABRI must not side with one political group alone.
ABRI must be close to the people and not merely implement the orders of the ruling power. It must absorb all the aspirations of the people, said the law professor.
"Remember ABRI belongs to the people, not to just one group or one particular interest," he told the Post.
Asked to comment on Syarwan's fears that the new alliances have ulterior motives and intend to disrupt the nation's stability, Nurdien dismissed it, saying that ABRI's mere presence was a deterrent in itself.
"They would not dare do such a thing since there is a feared restraint in Indonesia which is ABRI. If ABRI really has proof that these new alliances intend to rip apart the nation's unity it could always act swiftly," Nurdien said.
He underlined the right of groups and individuals to form such alliances as long as they do not undermine state unity and stability.
Overall, Nurdien said, the growth of these alliances should be seen as a sign of success in the government's program of political socialization.
"We should consider ourselves lucky that our society is now more critical," he remarked. (har/mds)