New Order political patrons
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