Opposition needed

The Indonesian media are very busy these days speculating about possible coalitions ahead of the final outcome of the general election. But there is so far hardly any discussion about the crying need for an effective opposition in the legislature.

For instance, the writer of the article PDI-P, Golkar may need to form coalition (The Jakarta Post, March 29) simply ignored this issue by suggesting that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Golkar Party should form a strong coalition. But how could such a coalition, for example, fight corruption, collusion and nepotism, as it can be assumed that each party would cover up the other's possible "bad deeds", true to the maxim, "Dog won't eat dog."

All compromise Cabinets since Soeharto's downfall in 1998 have proven that the absence of a legitimate opposition leads to the stagnation of the reform movement, as well as of economic and political development and of efforts to improve law enforcement.

The lack of an opposition that prevents the government from acting arbitrarily and abusing its power means a threat to democracy itself. A constructive opposition and press freedom are essential elements in the functioning of a democracy. But the press will certainly run the risk of losing its freedom if the country is ruled by a big coalition like the PDI-P and Golkar. Had a strong opposition existed in the past, an infringement of press freedom like the Tempo affair might not have happened.

Thirty-two years of authoritarian rule and nearly six years of weak leadership should set people thinking. Only talking about the values of democracy means nothing if its demands are not being served. And one of its demands is for a constructive constitutional opposition. There is no substitute for it.

HILDE MAY
Jakarta