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)