New group of activists for democracy emerges

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)