Injustice causes Islamic radicalism
JAKARTA (JP): The vice-chairman of the National Resiliency Institute, Juwono Sudarsono, called on the government yesterday to enhance social justice to prevent the rise of radical Islamic movements in Indonesia.
Juwono argued that inequality and social injustice are fertile ground for radical ideas.
"We are racing against time to foster more far reaching social justice. If we fail, anyone can use the Islamic religion as a radical shortcut, which is unconstitutional," he warned.
Juwono assessed the rising trend of Islamic radicalism throughout the world, particularly in developing nations, as a backlash against the failure of modern economic development to create economic and social justice.
"My warning is that the potential to exploit religion as a means of endorsing radical acts such as in Algeria and Egypt...can also happen in Indonesia," he said after speaking at a seminar on "The Egyptian Indonesian Relations from an Historic Perspective".
The seminar, opened by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, also marked the inauguration of the Indonesia-Egypt Friendship Association.
Juwono strongly warned against the use of Islam as a "savior from the poverties" and thus called for policies to improve people's welfare.
"The symptoms do occasionally appear," he replied when asked by The Jakarta Post if he thought there were already signs which give root to radical Islamic movements.
He pointed to the conflicts surrounding land expropriation as a common example which could aid such radicalism.
Morals
Former cabinet minister Emil Salim who also attended yesterday's seminar, pointed out that development in many countries lacked moral development and thus created a void often filled by movements such as Islamic fundamentalism.
Emil argued that fundamentalist movements were often a manifestation of society's desire to recapture traditional values neglected by modern economic development.
He sees a need to balance materialistic concepts with moral values in the nation's development.
"If this is not addressed then fundamentalism will emerge," he said.
When asked about the seriousness of the situation in Indonesia, Emil answered by expressing confidence in the virtue of the people here.
"The morality of the Indonesian people is still good," he replied.
He added that rational Moslems were needed, not emotional ones such as in the Middle East.
According to Juwono, the government is aware of the potential dangers posed by Islamic extremists.
"I think that even Golkar feels that Islam is a challenge," he said referring to the ruling Golkar faction.
He noted that the government has included Islamic leaders, particularly those from the middle class, in the decision making process "even though still nominally".
Furthermore, he argued that when a political group holds onto power for so long, as Golkar has for the last two decades, there is a general pattern to challenge it. (mds)