Indonesian democracy reawakens

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
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