Legislator say youth leaders lack idealism

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)