Independence lost?

Independence lost?

From Panji

In any political structure it is common to see intellectuals
join the ruling regime. In the Sukarno era this phenomenon was
quite evident, as the intellectuals were generally involved in
and became part of the revolution. In fact, Sukarno and Moh.
Hatta were themselves genuine intellectuals. All the
intellectuals had excellent practical political capabilities,
because they previously had much experience in organizational
affairs gained during their campus life. A number of such
intellectuals turned prominent politicians can be cited: Moh.
Natsir, Moh. Room and Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, to name just a
few.

Also in the New Order regime, we know of numerous
intellectuals who held government posts. These intellectuals,
like Widjojo Nitisastro and Ali Wardhana, for example, then
became technocrats, and they made important and strategic
contributions

The same is true in the era of reform under the leadership of
President Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur. The question that may be
asked is: What could be the motives of the intellectuals or
academicians for joining the government? In my opinion, the
presence of once independent people, or even vocal opposition
groups, in the executive branch as director generals or the heads
of institutions is invariably followed by a change of their
ethics and a loss of their independence.

I have good reason to mention here Mohamad Sobary, who has
been appointed head of Antara news agency. I was particularly
disappointed by his recent polemics aired on ANteve. I know him
through many of his articles and ideas presented at seminars as
an independent and humanistic figure, having an egalitarian
outlook. However, only a few days after being appointed chief of
Antara, he became a staunch defender of Gus Dur.

For example, he strongly criticized the use the word jewer
(literally meaning "pinching" someone's ear) in the context of
"pinching Gus Dur's ear". According to Sobary, this word is
uneducative and unethical. Unfortunately, Sobary seems to have
intentionally forgotten to criticize Gus Dur himself when the
latter used the phrase tahi ayam (chicken droppings) to describe
certain parties. Is this an educative and cultured phrase?

AHMAD YUDI SANTOSA

Jakarta