New Order political patrons

The old, but still surviving, political system put the role of political patron in the government's hands. This function is retained by the minister of home affairs. The minister of home affairs, therefore, is responsible for any affairs involving political parties and mass organizations, including non- governmental organizations (NGOs).

Because the Armed Forces (ABRI), in accordance with its dual role (sociopolitical as well as defense and security) shares the right to run the country, it also has the function of political patron. For ABRI, the highest official responsible is its commander in chief.

Because of the political patron's predominant position, all political processes that take place can be made to comply to the wishes of the patron. The political patron's power became all the more overpowering as ABRI and the government combined to oversee political life. It is therefore quite correct of Soerjadi (chairman of the government-sanctioned faction of the Indonesian Democratic Party) to say that it is impossible to detach any political developments that take place in this country -- including the mess that exists in some political parties -- from the government's assuming the role of political patron.

As it now turns out, however, this system of political patronage has led to scapegoating. As long as all the political processes went well, the political patrons crowed and prided themselves on their achievements. However, when brawling and bloodshed erupted as a result of their scheming and coercion -- as happened during the forceful takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters in Jakarta on June 27 two years ago -- those same political patrons lightly dismissed the incidents as an internal matter of the party.

It is certainly good to be a political patron in Indonesia. One can meddle in someone else's affairs without having to accept the responsibility. And when driven into a corner, just put the blame on another.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta