Press, parties reminded on roles to foster civil society
Press, parties reminded on roles to foster civil society
JAKARTA (JP): Failure of the press and political parties
to match up to expectations would render the reform movement
started by students stagnant, political observers and a party
member warned Wednesday.
Hermawan Sulistyo of the National Institute of Sciences (LIPI)
said the two forces should make use of the newly-created "public
space" to push for reform without violence, aiming for policies
that served the interests of the public.
Hermawan was addressing a discussion on year-end reflections
co-organized by non-governmental organizations Pijar and Yappika.
Hermawan said he observed a "partisan press" on the rise,
making Indonesia "the most liberal country in the world"
regarding press freedom.
Since May, over 300 press publications had been issued by the
government under President B.J. Habibie since the government made
requirements for publications much easier than before.
Many have questioned the degree of professionalism among the
press within its new found freedom.
With the press being free to write harshly on any public
officials, Hermawan said, he warned it could build up an
accumulated hatred against officialdom -- which he believed would
eventually lead to violence.
Suparwan Parikesit, a member of the Islamic Community Party
(PUI) said political parties, "long marginalized and even
cornered by the New Order regime", should muster their ability to
voice the people's aspirations.
Hermawan added that there was a "fifty-fifty" chance of the
country advancing to a strong civil society or slipping back to
an authoritarian state.
"It would take four to five years to see real reform," he
said.
Regarding parties, Bachtiar Effendy of the Institute for
Ethics and Business Research (LSPEU) said legal arrangements were
needed to enable parties to function properly.
"Roles of parties should be socio-politically constructed...
a conducive situation must be created," he said.
But he said he was "pessimistic" of the future, citing the
deliberation of political laws by only three parties at the House
of Representatives existing under the New Order while there were
so many parties now.
The government's last recorded tally of parties is 107.
On the cultural level, Bachtiar said Indonesian people still
could not accept other people winning.
"They would just, for instance, create a party of their own
once they got defeated in an election," he said.
Given the circumstances, Bachtiar predicted that people would
still find the most effective means to channel their aspirations
would be on the streets.
"We'll still see this for the next one or two years," he said.
(aan)