Indonesia still intolerance of differing views: Academic
Indonesia still intolerance of differing views: Academic
JAKARTA (JP): Intolerance of dissenting opinions is retarding
the growth of democracy on Indonesian soil, suggests a political
observer.
Yusril Ihza from the University of Indonesia' school of law,
argued on Saturday that the acceptance of differing opinions
should be encouraged at the grassroots level.
"Debates, arguments and different opinions are needed to help
develop democracy in our society," said Yusril in a discussion
held by the Indonesian Catholic Students Union.
Yusril said democracy is not a top-down process and that the
country's leaders should no longer force feed their own concepts.
"Training programs and courses coercing the same perception of
the state ideology Pancasila are no longer necessary because
there is nothing wrong with having a different view," he said.
The discussion entitled Social Justice and Challenges Faced by
Nationalism in Indonesia, was also attended by Franz Magnis-
Suseno, a philosopher and lecturer at the Driyarkara School of
Philosophy.
Sharing Yusril's view, Magnis-Suseno said that different
opinions are essential to a democratic society and would not
erode the people's sense of nationalism.
"Nationalism is neither an ideology or a concept. It concerns
one's feeling and love for his country and comes from the heart.
It is a commitment," he said, pointing out that nationalism is
not something that can necessarily be taught.
"The East Timorese, for instance, will not attain a sense of
nationalism from ideology courses," he said.
Yusril said that there are many "illogical" indications that
the current system does not tolerate disagreement.
"The nation's concept-makers design polices which benefit
themselves. People are obligated to agree with them and the
system does not allow public control," he said.
Yusril said a different control mechanism is essential to keep
bureaucrats on the right track.
"Now, it is unclear to whom the Supreme Court and the Supreme
Advisory Council, for example, must report to. Should they report
to themselves, or God? There is no mechanism to control them," he
pointed out.
Reporting to the president, he said, was also incorrect. "A
higher or equal-level body should not report to a lower one."
Both Yusril and Franz emphasized the need for an effective
checks and balances system.
Yusril said the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) should
have a bigger role in controlling the country's leaders.
"When I was in a student organization, we needed several days
and nights -- with no sleep -- to reach a consensus because we
debated for hours. Now I am very surprised that the MPR only
needs 11 days to discuss and approve ways of solving the
country's problems," he said.
Franz stressed the role of the media in preventing the
country's leaders from neglecting their responsibilities.
"There is no corruption in Germany, but not because the
country's leaders have better morals than those in other
countries. It is simply because public control is very
strict...The media has power," he said.(pwn)