Legislator say youth leaders lack idealism

JAKARTA (JP): Many of today's youth leaders lack the idealism and independence normally expected of them. Their only concern is working their way to the top and into positions of power, legislator Matori Abdul Djalil says.

The organizations they lead have become mere vehicles, or "easy tickets", to higher political positions, Matori, a member of the United Development Party (PPP) faction in the House of Representatives said Monday.

This is reflected in the fierce competition for the top positions in many youth organizations, he said.

Because of their obsession with political positions, they are willing to give up their independence, he said at a discussion on the role of youth in the democratization process. "They are virtually chaining themselves. And that's deplorable," he said.

The one-day discussion, organized by the Union of Indonesian Catholic Students (PMKRI), was also attended by Tjahjo Kumolo, one-time chairman of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI) and now a member of the House of Representatives representing Golkar.

Many youth organizations, which commanded influence and power in the 1960s and 1970s, have been criticized for their failure to truly represent the aspirations of their constituents and their lack of independence from the government.

Criticism grew louder last month when the KNPI, an umbrella group for dozens of youth organizations, held a congress to elect new leaders. PMKRI distanced itself from the KNPI by staying away from the congress, although it is a member.

Matori blamed the declining effectiveness of youth organizations on the high concentration of political power in the government.

The condition limits room for political participation by the people, including youth organizations, he said.

Consequently these groups have become mere vehicles for their leaders to break into the closely-knit political system. "There are virtually no other channels for participation," he said.

Non-governmental organizations, which have been flourishing in recent years, were at one time considered the new alternative for youth, but even these are now being shut out, Matori said.

"With the government declaring that some NGOs are problematic, youth have lost this channel," he said, referring to the government's recent announcement that it was investigating the activities of some of the more critical NGOs.

This condition is creating frustration among youth groups because they lose self-esteem and confidence, Matori said.

Tjahjo, who chaired the KNPI between 1990 and 1993, lamented the limited participation of the people in the political process.

Participation is crucial in determining the composition of the national leadership. "Without widespread participation, we will all lose," he said.

He agreed the high concentration of political power was bad for Indonesia, to the point where "to be different is considered taboo."

Tjahjo said any change to the system could only come from young people. "They have to be in the front line," he said. (03)