Forming an opposition in Indonesian govt

Forming an opposition in Indonesian govt

Membangun Oposisi: Agenda-Agenda Perubahan Politik Masa Depan
(Forming Opposition: The Agenda of Future Political Changes);
By Eep Saefulloh Fatah; PT. Remaja Rosdakarya, Bandung 1999;
xxviii and 216 pages; Rp 17,500

JAKARTA (JP): Like it or not, the Indonesian era of reform has
created a remarkable blast of democratization. Since the power of
the New Order withered, this country has gone through a drastic
political transition.

Formerly, the political culture was (forced to be) hesitant to
participate in the political process, but now the freedom of
participation, in all its forms, is alive and kicking.

Will Indonesian democratization continue on the right track?
Optimists answer, naturally, yes. The reason for this is that the
majority of society's pillars have apparently been given a role
in the political process.

These pillars include the mushrooming political parties as
well as the mass media, which has been significantly liberalized.

Pessimists disagree with the above argument. They say that
what is happening in Indonesia is merely the euphoria of a new-
found democracy. The Indonesian version of democratization is
fictitious, emotional and tends to be uncontrollable, pessimists
argue.

Regardless of which view is true, the quick pace of Indonesian
democratization has recently focused on how to form a government,
ironically enough.

The "iron law" of oligarchy declares that only a few people
can come to power. The rest, or the majority, must remain outside
the arena of power. In this manner, the most important aspect of
democracy is the mode of political participation for those left
out of power. Therefore, the opposition format is relevant and
crucial for Indonesia.

The book Membangun Oposisi offers visions and actions for
those parties which wish to position themselves as the
opposition. Eep Saefulloh Fatah states that opposition is a
saying or an action that fights falsehood by emphasizing and
supporting all which is correct and just (p.xi). Clearly, the
opposition is not merely a rebellion which shouts and fights
those in power by employing unethical measures.

Why is an opposition a political necessity for the new
Indonesian democracy? Because there are symptoms within
Indonesian democracy which tend to propel it from the
authoritarianism New Order toward a topsy-turvy no-order.

One of the parameters of a democratic system is the existence
of opposition within the government. Eep worries that a
"reconsolidation of authoritarianism" might occur in Indonesia --
made clear by his reference to Guillermo O'Donnell et al. and
Peter Worsley.

There are various factors causing the emergence of a
reconsolidation of authoritarianism in Indonesia. First, the
existing changes in the political system are not revolutionary
changes, as with a total and fundamental change of regime.

The second factor is the unmanageable and long-lasting
uncertainty facing the country. Third is the military factor. The
fourth factor is the role an expanded freedom has played in
deadly and uncontrollable conflicts and the fifth factor is that
the prodemocracy social movement has run out of breath.

According to Eep, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia,
the most important thing for an active opposition is a political
system which allows diversity to prosper, competition among
groups, tolerates different ideologies and has effective control
mechanisms. When these requirements are fulfilled, the people,
together with all the elements of the political system, will
automatically go through the process of cultural perfection
(p.xiii).

This book is divided into five parts. Included in the book is
a collection of Eep's essays which have been published in the
mass media.

What is particular about this book is that the essays do not
include Eep's analysis of the political phenomena which have
occurred in the reform era, but instead deal with the political
constellation in the last years of the New Order regime.

However, these essays continue to remain fresh and relevant,
making this a book which will remain meaningful for a long time
to come. We can see in the book Eep's excellence and courage in
presenting his antiauthoritarianism attitude, all with brilliant
analysis.

The book's prologue covers the history of Indonesia's
political life by comparing the country with Nigeria.

From here, we see the 32-year-old Eep for all his brilliant
political intelligence. His writing is full of logic,
theoretical references and outstanding concepts. This is
systematic and bright writing wrapped in poetic language.

This book is appropriate material for public discourse or
debate. One such debate could address Eep's terminology
concerning the essence of opposition.

Eep states the essence of opposition rests in its clarity of
vision as well as its consistency in upholding the truth. To
accomplish such an essence without supporting any political party
is needed for a functioning opposition.

Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party, Yusril Ihza Mahendra
of the Crescent Star Party and a number of other political
figures once declared they were ready to take up the role of the
opposition if they did not receive the support of the majority of
Indonesians in the elections.

If these figures are criticizing those in power, is it
necessary for them first to remove the shirts of their respective
political parties? It is difficult to separate Amien and Yusril
from their parties, and they should continue as the leaders of
their parties as well as the opposition to those in power.

We believe that the opposition can either be a member of a
political party or can be neutral. There are a number of pillars
of Indonesian society which are able to be form an opposition
without being involved with political parties.

Nevertheless, it is more advisable if the opposition is formed
through political parties. In this way, opposition politicians
can prepare themselves to move into the circles of power.

This book is an important read for Indonesian politicians,
analysts and those interested in politics. It could become one of
the references on how to form an opposition amid the
democratization of Indonesia.

-- Yasmi Adriansyah and Lynda Kurnia Wardhani

The reviewers are members of the Indonesian Transparency
Society