'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)