Ideological rift worsens conflict in politics

Ideological rift worsens conflict in politics

JAKARTA (JP): Chief of the Armed Forces Territorial Affairs
Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said an ideological rift has
worsened conflict among the political elite, hampering efforts to
overcome the crisis.

"The biggest problem and challenge the nation is facing is
that the national crisis has yet to be defused because
ideological fragmentation still continues, and it has worsened
the conflict among the political elite," he said Tuesday.

Susilo was addressing a discussion on the political agenda
after the 1999 general election here on Tuesday.

The talks attended by around 800 alumni of the Yogyakarta-
based Gadjah Mada University were held to mark the university's
golden anniversary.

Susilo spoke of an increase in sectarianism or interests based
on religious affiliation and ethnicity, which have posed a
serious threat to national unity.

The ideological rift is clearly seen in spreading riots, the
mushrooming of political parties, and in public ignorance of law
and order. "The recent tragedies in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara
and in Ambon have proven that ethnic and religio-political
conflicts are still going on and have disrupted national cohesion
and integration," he said.

The three-star general expressed regret over the power
struggle in the political elite, and the fierce competition among
political parties which was expected to continue after the June 7
elections.

"Normality will return only if community and religious leaders
and the political elite reach a consensus to end the rift, the
power struggle, and to prioritize the national interests," he
said.

Another speaker, Yogyakarta monarch Sultan Hamengkubuwono X,
blamed the repressive New Order regime under Soeharto for the
continued crisis in national identity and solidarity.

"The crisis of nationalism has a lot to do with past ignorance
of our multi-ethnicity during the 32-year New Order regime," he
said. "Ethnic groups were not empowered while power was
centralized in the hands of the few."

Mochtar Mas'oed, a political expert from Gadjah Mada
University in Yogyakarta, said Indonesia was facing
disintegration if it failed to develop multiculturalism.

He said democracy would survive here if Indonesia accommodated
plurality in culture and ethnicity.

"The nation will be able to have a democratic government only
if freedom, equality and tolerance are respected," he said.

Cornelius Lay, another political expert from the university,
said the next election was not a solution to the national crisis
but a choice of a lesser evil among a number of poor
alternatives.

"The election is only a gate for the nation to face up to its
real problems and it does not guarantee a solution to the
crisis," he said.

The worst alternative would be a revolution, but it would be
rendered impossible because the nation realizes the high price it
would have to pay.

He expressed doubts that a coalition government could be
formed after the elections, given the absence of the legal
mechanisms necessary for one and for the presidential elections.

"If they won the elections, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle, the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the National
Awakening Party (PKB) would still face difficulties in forming a
coalition government because of the absence of a legal
mechanism," he said.

The consequence would be further difficulties in electing a
president, he said.

Asked about the chances of Golkar winning the elections, he
answered quickly: "It will be impossible."

Citing principles in mass psychology, he said the majority of
Indonesian people have rejected the party because of its poor
record in the past under Soeharto's New Order regime.

"Golkar will not win the elections. If it won, it would only
be because it had manipulated them," he said.

J.B. Kristiady, a moderator in the discussion, alleged Golkar
used "money politics" to win the elections in the past.

He said the General Elections Commission should introduce
strict rulings to curb the practices of money politics, since the
issue was not covered in the new political laws. (rms)