Indonesian Axis aiming at middle classes: Eros

Indonesian Axis aiming at middle classes: Eros

The following is an excerpt of an interview with Eros Djarot,
a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) and a founder of the new Indonesian Axis (Poros
Indonesia) group:

Question: What do you think about the changes in Indonesia?

Answer: The current situation needs wise, mature and directed
leadership. We don't have any platforms for politics, economics,
social or cultural views, which can serve as a kind of guidance
to the public.

Judicial reform has also been idle. Everything seems idle and
everyone is just waiting. Ministers, director generals and
directors at various ministers just wait to make decisions.

Q: Why?

A: I think it's because President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur)
doesn't have any fixed guidelines. There's a kind of
inconsistency and doubt. So everyone is just waiting with
caution ... which is good, but the implication is that there are
no decisions being taken, while political and economic burdens
increase. We need concrete solutions.

Q: What about Gus Dur?

A: I'd believe in him if he was healthy. We know he can't write
and read due to being half-blind. This is serious for Indonesia
in this situation. His style of leadership also plays a part. His
clerical style (he used to head a traditional Islamic boarding
school or pesantren) is reactive instead of being creative, and
it can cause internal conflict. He should not have formed several
councils, such as the National Economic Council without having
clear concepts.

Q: Do you think that Gus Dur contributed to the current scandals,
including the Bulog affair?

A: At the very least he's responsible for the Bulog scandal, and
how it happened. If the government had a check and recheck
system, it would not be possible for someone to steal like that.
We have to be able to criticize Gus Dur, and we shouldn't be
fearful to do so just because he's a cleric.

We have to respect his willingness to govern Indonesia at this
critical time. His physical condition easily leads to incidents
like Suwondo (the prime suspect in the Rp 35 billion-Bulog
scandal). Who is checking the letters to be signed by Gus Dur?
Under whose oath are they assigned? But it's not about Gus Dur at
all; this is about our country.

Q: That's why you set up Poros Indonesia?

A: Yes. Poros Indonesia is for the middle classes to rebuild
their confidence and self-reliance. We really want to contribute
what we have, to do something hand-in-hand, and not just wait.

The decision-makers are unable to decide -- for how much
longer? What I'm worried about is what will happen when there's
no trust anymore in political parties. That would be dangerous
for democracy.

There should be someone to do something to involve the middle
classes from various parties. This is a cross section of the
various parties. Let's work. We can't just wait around while the
problems get more complicated.

We've chosen a cultural movement -- how to understand morality
and responsibility. We see certain people are still competing to
get seats in the government and state-owned enterprises. It's so
miserable. What we want to see is real programs, for instance in
debt restructuring, privatization, economic growth and so on,
which can be understood by the public.

Q: Why the middle classes?

A: Because we don't want to burden the lower classes anymore. We
want to avoid rallies, which usually lead to the poor joining in.

What we're doing now is sharing among the middle class, with
the results for the poor. Political parties do not have to be
afraid (of us) as we're not mass-oriented. We just want to help
people to be proud again as Indonesians...

Q: So Poros Indonesia is a non-formal organization for the middle
classes...

A: Well, we have a structure. Whether Poros Indonesia will be a
political party will depend on the existing political parties. If
these parties are all good, why should we be a political party?

The original aim was just to rebuild our confidence as
Indonesians and rebuild the nation. We can hear people abroad
putting us down, saying corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN)
have returned to Indonesia.

Q: Are their any conditions for prospective members of the group?

A: They must never have committed economic crimes, violated
human rights or performed criminal acts. People of various
backgrounds have joined. We want to prove that we can really be
clean. So we are very cautious when selecting funds. At least we
are not saying that we are anti-KKN but also doing our own
version (of the practice.)

Q: Are you sure that is possible?

A: If I wasn't I wouldn't be doing anything.

Q: Are you sure that Poros Indonesia can be useful?

A: It's so difficult now to be an Indonesian. I asked people from
various parties (who have joined the group) to set aside their
attributes and symbols. Just be Indonesians and stop criticizing
without seeking solutions.

We have a lot of potential people from many fields: several
political parties, academia, cultural groups and the capital
market, as well as members of the House of Representatives.

I believe in morality and intellectualism, so I prefer a few
members who are solid (in their commitment). Poros Indonesia is
for solidarity and open to anyone who does not want to blame
others...

Q: You mentioned funding. Are you ready for transparency?

A: We must be... We have declined some funds from unclear
sources. We want to do everything easily and not make problems.
(I. Christianto)