Indonesian democracy reawakens

Adam Tyson, Leeds, Britain

One of the consequences of the reformasi era has been the reassertion of local customs, traditions and values, known broadly as adat, resulting mainly from the policy of decentralization and the apparent loosening of uniformity in local politics.

Therefore, as regional autonomy creates greater local opportunities for articulation of cultures and participation in politics, observers have turned their attention towards Indonesia's colorful and complex political mosaic.

The new emphasis upon "localism" has opened the door to interesting research with regards to the sensitive questions that Indonesians are facing everyday: Questions of national versus local identity; national unity versus fragmentation; the compatibility of adat and local democratization; and the struggles over local livelihoods in terms of indigenous rights, land claims and access to resources.

Can these seemingly academic questions translate into meaningful debates between community members and local elites within the highly contested local sphere? It seems that while they can resonate with local populations, it may be worth leaving behind some excess baggage by stripping away the political jargon of academia and the mainstream rhetoric of government.

In this case, one may be inclined to delve beneath the surface of the carefully constructed political landscape, beyond the holding of periodic elections, the support (superficial or otherwise) for political parties, and/or the procedural debates about institutions and systems. If we are so inclined, it may be possible to reawaken our sense of democracy by referring to the more creative side of Indonesian activism, taking many forms such as the arts, the media, and literature.

In terms of literature, there is an outstanding example of the harmony between creativity and political activism to be found within the dynamic and controversial writings of Pramoedya Ananta Toer in his novel Footsteps (Book three of the Buru Quartet). Pramoedya weaves complex political concepts into his colorful style of story telling, the content of which is indicative of the struggles of the times (mainly against the colonial Dutch) but are also extremely relevant for the current situation in Indonesia.

They signify a period of transition, a national awakening, and given the turbulence and uncertainty that major political changes bring, it is a true test of Indonesian nationalism and resilience.

Through his writings, the author invites the reader to enter the Indies and experience the painstaking process of "modernity" and progress. Those at the forefront of national liberation, such as the main character Minke, challenge the creativity of local people and dare them to mobilize, organize and support the sarekat.

By helping to launch the first "modern" associations of indigenous people on the basis of their common national identity, Minke and his counterparts were attempting to convince people to merge their individualistic interests with the common good.

Many of the struggles and processes mentioned in Footsteps are mirrored in today's struggles, although perhaps now set in a more conducive environment. Questions raised in this seminal work by Pramoedya are highly relevant today, such as those pertaining to national identity, statehood, local allegiance, masyarakat adat, associations, sarekat, and the improvement of local livelihoods.

One way in which to link these past ideas with present conditions is to frame them within the ongoing process of decentralization. The shifting of power and resources to districts and villages throughout Indonesia has created new local dynamics, contestations, and perhaps nothing short of what Hans Antlov of the Ford Foundation has called "the quiet revolution in the countryside".

At this crucial juncture there are both potentials and risks emanating from the process of local reform; some actors (usually elites) seek to capture the process and use it to serve their own narrow interests, while the so-called local grassroots movements are struggling to raise the standards of living and benefit from enhanced participation and representation.

Whether through reassertions of local adat or other means by which local groups seek to form alliances, the same problems that Pramoedya's central character Minke encountered, problems of heterogeneous communities with diverse and often incompatible interests, appear intractable and may continue to hinder reforms.

Minke, in his tireless efforts to unite the native peoples of the Indies, sought to discover this elusive common ground, this general interest that all his fellow people could pursue, and yet more often than not discovered that the diversity of his own people outweighed their unity.

Diverse interests are reflected in the community, penetrate into the family, and even exist within the hearts of each individual concerned. Prameodya's literary depiction of the struggles of Minke to unite his people and give voice to their aspirations echo throughout the generations and challenges the modern day reformists and activists throughout Indonesia.

The foundations of Pramoedya's political thought on Indonesian nationalism and democracy were firmly set out in his novel "Footsteps", giving credence to the importance of developing a democratic character and incorporating some of its values into the Indonesian way of life.

In what the author called the imperative of modern thought, he used the printed press to promote awareness and protect the rights of Natives, he advocated greater education, the empowerment of women, and the freedom to think freely and express one's thoughts.

To realize such ideals people would have to struggle against the conditions which served to placate them. Right now throughout the archipelago the policy of decentralization is opening up new opportunities and challenges for local peoples, creating a sphere within which they can undertake this struggle. A delicate balance is being sought between local allegiances and people's sense of national identity, and the highly contested local arena is testing the democratic character of local peoples.

For those interested in the outcomes of regional autonomy, one question is worth considering: Can local communities find a way to articulate their interests for the common good in order to make the most out of the new opportunities created by decentralization, or will they remain divided and fall victim to entrenched and predatory elite interests?

The writer, formerly a visiting researcher at Parahyangan Catholic University, Bandung, is now a PhD candidate at Leeds University, England. He can be reached at adtyson@hotmail.com -----------