'Govt should initiate democracy'

'Govt should initiate democracy'

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Democratization in Indonesia's paternalistic society should start with the government giving greater leeway to public participation, says a political scientist.

In a discussion here yesterday, Prof. Mufiz Ali of Diponegoro University said that although, ideally, the process of improving participation should be launched by the government and the people together, in Indonesia the government should initiate it.

"Hopefully, this initiative would prompt the public to participate more, especially in the sphere of political development," he said at the debate, held by the university and the Suara Merdeka daily.

Mufiz said the public could do their share in the democratization process by "avoiding undemocratic ways when using their democratic rights". He was referring to demonstrations by people demanding their rights.

Another lecturer at the university, Djuliati Soerojo, said that people only resort to protests, violence and vandalism when initial efforts to voice their aspirations fail.

"The blocked channels are the reason why there is unrest in society," Djuliati said. People protest because they are "seeking a venue to express their aspiration and sufferings".

The expert suggested that, instead, the power holders should take the risk and trust the public to exercise their right to seek democracy in a responsible manner.

For at least the first 15 years after the proclamation of independence in 1945, Indonesia experienced a very democratic period in its political life, Djuliati said.

"It's not clear, however, whether it was democracy in the real meaning, or a quasi-democracy which grew out of elation following the end of colonialism. Nobody can give a satisfactory answer on that matter. What's clear is that we did have 15 years of democratic life then."

Mufiz Ali said that there is a positive relation between the level of participation and the quality of democracy.

"The better people can exercise their rights to seek democracy, the higher their participation will be," he said.

"Participation of the people is crucial. It stimulates political integration and determines the quality of democracy.

"Without people's participation, then we have reasons to question the level of democracy," he said.

Djuliati said that, given the "suffocating" social conditions at present, the government should respond promptly in order to prevent unrest.

"Ultimately, it's the government which should launch the drive toward a modern, democratic and mature society." (har/swe)