Indian lesson for RI
The article Democracy Indian-style: What lessons are there for Indonesia in the June 11 issue made an interesting read, as I have grown old through the democracy of India.
In India, the civilian leadership has played havoc on the system; in Indonesia, the army did. The conclusion is evident: Neither is better than the other.
Instead, it is the quality of the individual holding the top post that makes a difference.
The UK's democracy has grown over many centuries, and its citizens were given their rights gradually as they became aware of and demanded them. Initially, therefore, only the nobles had decision-making powers, then the commoners obtained suffrage in the early 1920s and women's suffrage, only in 1949.
In the U.S., they had a written, but small, constitution, which grew for the better through fair judicial pronouncements.
India, a nation that achieved independence far later, drew the best from all prevalent systems and enacted a lengthy constitution. Yet, it has been implemented so badly that most noble intentions have been subverted. India ranks near Indonesia in corruption, 20 percent of its population live in hunger and 35 percent are illiterate, while disruptive and divisive elements are gaining strength, power is usurped through voter intimidation, individuals with pending criminal cases become ministers, judicial processes continue for decades and justice is denied in the end, innocent people die in police custody, wealthy killers can escape the law, sacred rivers are polluted beyond redemption, etc, etc.
A universal adult franchise cannot work in a society afflicted with so many disabilities.
The first lesson for Indonesians from the experience of India is that they should elect to power an individual with a proven reputation of being incorrupt, educated, capable, firm and a staunch nationalist -- like Sardar Patel at the time of Indian independence, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore or Mahathir Mohammad of Malaysia.
Indonesia is truly secular. They should continue to preserve their heritage and be proud of it. Religion is the concern of an individual and not the state -- and all religions lead to the same Almighty God.
DEEPAK NARAIN, Bogor, West Java