Megawati is the key to rebuilding devastated Bali

Megawati is the key to rebuilding devastated Bali

The government must take quick and appropriate action to
"rebuild" the devastated Bali, with President Megawati
Soekarnoputri expected to be on the front line in the national
effort to heal the island. Bogor-based social psychologist Ihsan
Malik of the University of Indonesia, who has helped community
rebuilding efforts in conflict-ravaged areas such as Maluku and
Central Sulawesi, shares his views with The Jakarta Post's Soeryo
Winoto.

Question: Bali has been devastated by bombs. Many fear that
the Balinese Hindu -- due to a lack of information -- will take
up arms against other ethnic groups and religions. What do you
think?

Answer: There is something interesting in Bali, with its
village community called banjar. Kuta, where the bomb exploded,
is said to have been westernized, but it still has a very strong
banjar.

I don't see any possibility that the Balinese Hindu community
will become that aggressive. They are very compromising. I
believe that the mechanisms of Balinese culture are strong enough
to prevent community members from turning to violence.

But I'm afraid that those who represent a political party, the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), will
demonstrate their anger.

Bali is the stronghold of PDI Perjuangan, isn't it?

What do you think will be the most dramatic social impact of
the tragedy?

Bali was the only "neutral or safe zone" in the country. Now
that Bali has been devastated we have lost everything and are
moving backward. Two years will not be enough to rebuild Bali
into a neutral zone. This estimation is based on my experiences
in the "war-torn" city of Ambon, Maluku.

What about community reconstruction in Bali?

Civil society must be empowered. I suggest that the mechanisms
of the local community be strengthened. It's time for the local
community to be given a better bargaining position (in deciding
the future of), instead of political parties and the government.

I believe empowering society is a must. The middle class,
professionals and the press must be stronger and more involved in
community reconstruction. We must all handle and solve our
problems.

The problem is that we are not familiar with managing and
handling problems. What we usually do to respond to problems is
flee or fight.

There are abundant problems. Letting those problems go
unsolved is also a way to escape from the problems. We usually
accuse some party of being behind a tragedy. This is dangerous.
We must be able to handle and manage problems properly.

How long do you think it will take to rebuild community and to
rebuild trust in Bali?

Based on my experiences in Ambon, we need at least one year to
rebuild public trust. It's not simple to rebuild public trust,
revive feelings of security and to empower the helpless people
there. Trust-building is the most difficult thing to do.

Many people say that President Megawati Soekarnoputri should
be on the front line of a national movement to rebuild the
community in Bali. Do you agree?

I am always surprised by her sluggishness. She is always late
to react and to provide solutions in critical situations. The
President and the House of Representatives have not been able to
build a solid synergy (in dealing with the emergency situation in
Bali). The press and non-governmental organizations will be
overwhelmed in helping reconstruct the Balinese community. It is
the Balinese alone who must be proactive and do something for
themselves.

Why do you think Megawati is always late to react?

Maybe it is just her nature. She lacks a sense of crisis. Just
imagine, she visited Bali and made a statement hours after the
(Bali) blasts. And what has she done in the two days after that?
She just waited for Downer (Australian Foreign Minister Alexander
Downer). She has been too slow to offer solutions. She has no
capacity. This is dangerous.

Isn't the Bali tragedy a golden opportunity for Megawati to
rebuild her image, which is very important for her future
political career?

I have no idea. I may give up if you ask that question. Yes,
it is the most important moment for Megawati to move. But, again,
she has been too slow and was late to react.

I think there must be a strong push from the grassroots for
Megawati to move, and we intellectuals and the press keep
monitoring what she will do and has done. We are curious about
what steps she will make and has made, and what solutions she
offers for Bali in such an emergency situation.

Or maybe we have been too lenient and patient in not having
pushed her. Maybe from now on we must work harder to push her
harder.

Why don't we hold a national discussion or arrange a public
hearing on Bali, so as to continue providing the public with
accurate information.

So the key is Megawati?

Exactly. She is the key and she is, in fact, strong enough for
that. She must use this golden opportunity to rebuild her image.
Unfortunately she has yet to take any steps. She must move next
week at the latest. I'm afraid that the indigenous Balinese will
be angry if she takes no action, and this could lead to terrible
chaos.

Megawati has a very strong opportunity to take the proper
steps in the Bali disaster. First because her grandmother was
Balinese, second she would get the full political support from
her PDI Perjuangan party, and third the international community
is now opening its hands to help Indonesia.