Government tolerance of criticism fading: Loekman

Government tolerance of criticism fading: Loekman

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The government's tolerance of criticism and
"alternative ideas" is wearing thin, well-known political
observer Loekman Soetrisno believes.

"What happens now is that the government increasingly uses its
political power to resolve state problems," he said in a seminar
on current politics at Gadjah Mada University here Wednesday.

The trend is used to discourage people from expressing their
ideas and criticizing the government, said Loekman, who is also a
professor of literature at the university.

To make things worse, the government plays patron to only one
political organization (Golkar) and trumpets its propaganda, he
said. People from other political groups find it hard to get
their interests incorporated into government policy, he added.

"As a result, apathy reigns in almost all sectors of society
because people just don't believe the government would listen to
them," Loekman said.

He pointed out that Indonesia's closed political structure has
made it impossible to predict future trends. In addition, the
Indonesian middle class is too weak to pioneer change.

Loekman gave a gloomy forecast for Indonesia's sociopolitical
situation in the coming two decades, as the country prepares to
join the global liberal trade network, unless the bureaucracy
does something to mend its ways.

Political observer Syafii Ma'arif lamented the feudalistic
attitude and corrupt practices which are still widespread in the
bureaucracy. He pointed out that feudalism and corruption cannot
live alongside democracy.

"The nation will have weak moral foundations if the social
ills continue," said Syafii, from Yogyakarta's state Institute of
Islamic Studies.

Syafii suggested that the government is open to suggestions
and criticism from the people who wish to offer input into how
the bureaucracy could be improved. (har/pan)