Playing with politics

It is certainly a relief to learn that the government has finally presented the drafts on political laws -- which many hope will provide the foundations of our democracy -- to the House of Representatives (DPR). The bills, on political parties, general elections, the composition of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House of Representatives (DPR) and the first and second level regional legislative councils (DPRDs), were submitted on Thursday.

Deliberations should begin this week. Although late in coming -- we recall that President B.J. Habibie had promised to present the bills in August -- there is no reason why they cannot be completed in time to allow the country to hold a general election in May as scheduled. Our chief concern is not so much about the timing, as the extent to which these new laws would ensure a truly democratic system, and whether the deliberations in the House would also be democratic.

On these two fronts, unfortunately, the picture is not very encouraging. To start with, the bills were drafted by the government with little consultation from outside, except with the dominant political grouping Golkar and the Armed Forces (ABRI), both considered to be within Habibie's inner circle. Golkar and ABRI also dominate the House. They have the numbers necessary to ensure they have their way, either through the behind-the-scene arm twisting to reach consensus as in the past, or through voting in the House.

To be fair to the government, the political system envisaged by the proposed legislation represents a major departure from the old system, which as we know, was designed single-handedly by the autocratic Soeharto, with the support of Golkar and ABRI, to sustain his power, which lasted for 32 years.

Among the major differences in the new system are: a greater emphasis on a district over a proportional representative electoral system; a multiparty system against only three political groups contesting the polls; more elected, rather than appointed, representatives in the MPR and the DPR; a significant cut in the number of ABRI appointees in the MPR and DPR; and a greater role for the public and the political parties vis-a-vis the government in overseeing and administering general elections.

Through these bills, Habibie appears to be trying to remove many of the weaknesses of the past system. At first glance, there seems to be a genuine attempt on his part to change, and to move toward a more open and democratic political system. But first impressions can be deceptive. No person in their right mind and with strong concern for the nation should fall into this trap.

We have to constantly remind ourselves that most of those in the government, ABRI, the MPR and DPR are essentially the same people who barely six months ago gave their unquestionable support not only to Soeharto, but also to the corrupt political system. They had rejected the demands for reforms until the very last minute and jumped ships just in time, when it became apparent that Soeharto was losing his grip.

By default rather than by the will of the people, they are now entrusted to lead the nation down the path of reform. Still, given their recent history, their intentions must be questioned. They cannot and must not be trusted.

They are giving as little as possible, responding only to demands. The fact that they are now talking about reform cannot be genuine, but rather a response to the needs of the time. Things could be different if Habibie had stuck to his promise not to run for president. But it is now clear he and his inner circle have a vested interest in seeing that the electoral system returns both himself and Golkar to power next year.

The rest of the nation is left with no choice but to allow the DPR and MPR, whose members are essentially the same as those six months ago, to deliberate on the political bills. Yet, the rest of the nation should not simply sit and watch. We can exert pressure, even greater pressure than we have been exerting, through demonstrations and discourses to let them know of our position.

History has shown that these politicians would only give concessions under pressure. If we want maximum concessions from them, we simply have to exert maximum pressure. Democracy, and therefore the future of our nation, is far too precious to be left in the hands of the likes of Habibie and his inner circle.