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