Is there a magic formula for disciplining the nation?

Is there a magic formula for disciplining the nation?

Bantarto Bandoro
Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly'
Centre for Strategic
and International Studies
Jakarta

In her trip to China, North Korea and South Korea, President
Megawati Soekarnoputri stated openly that, despite the troubles
those countries face as nations, they have immense national
discipline and dedication.

This has perhaps been the most important factor in their
amazing success. Megawati then was quick in referring to
Indonesia as a nation which lacks of national discipline.

In a meeting with the Indonesian community in South Korea, she
said that in any field without national discipline, nothing can
run smoothly.

But in a country like Indonesia, which has been associated
with a variety of negative images, one can always raise doubts
that everything will run smoothly in spite of national
discipline.

Thanks to the leaders of the countries who invited Megawati,
she now recognizes the fact that something has gone wrong over
the course of our national development.

That Indonesia lacks national discipline has long been
recognized by some members of the international community.

That they often delay in extending financial assistance via
multilateral lending institutions is just one of the things which
further adds to perceptions that Indonesia is not showing the
necessary discipline to manage development funds.

Distortion in the use of development funds has been seen as a
normal process -- at least in the eyes of those involved in, and
responsible for, the disbursement of the funds. But no one seems
willing to touch the problems, as they have benefited from the
process.

Disciplining the nation takes a great deal of effort, because
it touches every aspect of human behavior, and the dynamic of
changes at the national level.

One way of understanding how discipline works is perhaps
through the concepts and ideas the leaders, politicians and
bureaucrats generate, and how they go about using those concepts
and ideas consistently to make the real sense of the development.

There have been continuous criticisms, manifested in a number
of street demonstrations against the slow progress in economic
and social development.

The leaders' lack of concepts of development and ideas as to
how to utilize domestic and external resources is perceived to be
one of the causes for the slow pace of economic development.

Domestic instability is, therefore, inevitable.

Being a newly emerging democracy, Indonesia will always be
vulnerable to all kinds of disturbances stemming from both
inside, and outside, the country.

It is perhaps within such a context that Megawati stated that
the country has always been condemned for the mistakes her
administration makes in managing the course of development. But
this should not be seen as an expression of apology.

A democratic climate in Indonesia will never flourish if
public images of the government stay negative, and street
protests will continue unless Indonesia's top leaders initiate
significant changes in their political behavior and mindset.

Efforts at disciplining the nation should start with them as
role models for the public, thus creating an atmosphere that
supports and nurtures the course of national development.

But perhaps it would be nice to have a magic formula that
would really help discipline the entire nation.

Leaders are supposed to be responsible for the success in the
execution of the national development program and policies.

If national development is to be successful, then Megawati's
administration must realize that it must be based on a balance of
steadfastness in principle and flexibility in practice to enable
representatives of the national system (in the executive and
legislative branches as well as the bureaucracy) to cope with the
problems that inevitably arise in the course of development.

That is to say that the "visible hand" of the state has to
leave adequate room for the "invisible hand" of the people to
take part in development.

This, however, requires a high degree of national discipline
in the sense that there must be consistency in the execution of a
well-digested plan of development and if, in the process, things
get distorted, punishment will follow.

The punishment should ensue immediately after the offense, so
that one can understand the association between the misbehavior
and the punishment. The Megawati government should not look
blindly to the cases of Bulogate, Asramagate and Ancolgate.

If such cases end up with no legal and political solutions,
this will certainly have eroded public trust toward the
government. A national discipline in the field of law enforcement
is therefore imperative, too.

Demands for democratization and the rule of law will certainly
grow in line with the degree of maturity of the nation.

Such demands would have to be managed in such a way that it
would result in a healthier political climate and institutions,
as well as a more conducive investment climate. For this to
occur, there must be bold measures toward creating national
discipline in all fields.

Failure in such efforts will guarantee uncertainty in the
direction of major trends in the country.

Thus, if Indonesia continues to lack of national discipline,
it will cause the nation to fall apart sociologically,
economically, and politically.

Will Megawati bring a magic formula home for disciplining the
nation?