New group of activists for democracy emerges

JAKARTA (JP): A group of prominent activists and intellectuals gathered over the weekend for a post-Idul Fitri celebration which many believed signified the impetus of a new alliance for democracy.

Only 300 invitations were issued but over 1,000 packed the Manggala Wanabhakti meeting hall. Among the diverse group were artists, journalists and students. Ulema and poet Mustofa Bisri from Indonesia's largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) read his poems marked with social and political criticism, while NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid delivered an oration calling for national unity.

The hosts came from background as diverse as the guests: they were Moslem scholar Moeslim Abdurrahman, human rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman, Moslem youth activist and intellectual Ulil Abshar-Abdalla, columnist and researcher Mohamad Sobary, feminist Nursyahbani Katjasungkana and consumer rights campaigner Zumrotin K. Soesilo.

The meeting was a "privately-sponsored effort to express pent- up concern about the declining social solidarity and morality caused by political practices that place the interests of groups or individuals (above the good of many)," Moeslim Abdurrahman said in his opening address.

"Such political practices have torn up the nation into pieces of moral sectarianisms and racisms," Moeslim said in the address entitled Untuk Membudayakan Demokrasi (To Cultivate Democracy).

The gathering was a lively event, especially because of the speeches delivered and poems read. Intellectuals seen in the gathering include critical political economist J. Soedjati Djiwandono, historian Onghokham, human rights campaigner Todung Mulya Lubis, Moslem researcher Masdar F. Masudi, as well as businessman Sofyan Wanandi.

Dozens of local and foreign journalists graced the event. Among them were senior journalists Goenawan Mohamad and Fikri Jufri of the banned Tempo weekly, and Jakob Oetama of the leading daily Kompas.

Nursyahbani, who leads the Indonesian Women Association for Justice (APIK) which actively seeks the protection of women workers, called the gathering "an experiment."

"It's an experiment to explore the possibility of forming a new alliance for democracy after such alliances hit the ground in the crackdown against activists following the July 27 riots in Jakarta," she said.

The alliance has yet to be named and its agenda has not yet been drawn up, but she said the group would concentrate on holding discussions and seminars.

"This alliance grew out of concern of activists, scholars, intellectuals and artists alike over the recent political situation, which has been marred by unrest and crackdowns on pro- democracy activists."

"The alliance would struggle to keep democracy movement exist," Nursyahbani said.

Marzuki Darusman said the alliance sought to prove to all that religions could become a medium to unite, rather than divide, all elements in society in their fight for democracy.

Abdurrahman stressed the importance of promoting inter- religion brotherhood. He also called for the avoidance of violent politics in the struggle for democracy. (aan/pan)