Mar'ie warns of demand for accountability

Mar'ie warns of demand for accountability

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad has predicted the burgeoning middle class in Indonesia will soon be demanding more public accountability, transparency and good governance.

Mar'ie took off his official cap as the state's chief treasurer when he rejoined his alma matter, the Association of Indonesian Moslem Students (HMI), at its 49th anniversary in Jakarta on Monday night, and spoke of politics in Indonesia.

He said that these demands from the Indonesian middle class will in turn contribute to the on-going social transformation currently sweeping the country.

Through their criticism, and more liberal and vocal attitudes, the middle class will give a new look to Indonesia's transformation process to become an industrialized society, he said in his paper entitled "HMI, Changes and Globalization."

"As a member of the global community, Indonesia cannot avoid the changes and realities that are taking place in the world...Our society is one which is becoming more industrialized, but at the same time is trying to catch up with global advancements in science and technology," Mar'ie said.

During this transition and the process of seeking an identity, society will become vulnerable to ideas and aspirations traditionally alien to Indonesia, he said. "But they should all be based on (the state ideology) Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution... and must not cause social upheavals," he said.

He also warned that those in power must be prepared to face criticism.

To prepare for such an era, according to Mar'ie, Indonesia will need leaders with vision, something the country had plenty of when it first declared its independence in 1945 but are now proving hard to find.

He also warned that among the critical members of society, there are bound to be some who are "anti-establishment".

"These people consider every establishment a rigid institution, which hampers creativity and activities," he said, adding that these people should be closely watched.

Monday night's occasion was attended by some familiar figures who were associated with HMI in the past. They include State Minister of Public Housing Akbar Tandjung, the chief of the National Logistics Agency Beddu Amang, the chairman of the United Development Party Ismail Hasan Metareum, and Moslem scholar Adi Sasono. Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono Isman as the patron of all youth organization was also there.

HMI has provided a springboard for many present day political leaders in the country. Its role has waned in recent years though, caused by government restrictions on politicking on campuses, and resulting in people finding outlets in non- governmental organizations to channel their aspirations.

HMI Chairman Taufiq Hidayat said in his speech that HMI will continue to push for democracy.

"Political justice can only be achieved if the political system gives enough room for the people to become political players," he said.

This means people should be given a chance to participate in the decision-making process of public-related matters, he said.

Political democracy involves more than the establishment of democratic institutions, such as political parties and representative bodies, and neither can it be demonstrated merely through an election.

"(Political democracy) requires participation, emancipation and equal treatment. This can be achieved through autonomous, independent parties which take part in...just and honest elections," Taufiq said. (pwn)