Principles of democracy still ignored

Principles of democracy still ignored

SEMARANG (JP): Indonesian bureaucrats often promote their
personal interests at the expense a democracy which they are fond
of talking about, a political observer said yesterday.

Such inconsistencies were readily apparent in the numerous
bannings of cultural performances and the government's tendency
to intervene in conflicts within major organizations, according
to Lt. Gen. (ret.) Harsudiono Hartas.

Hartas, who is a member of Indonesia's Supreme Advisory Board,
said that when it intervened in an intra-organizational conflict,
the government usually took one side instead of being neutral as,
he said, it is supposed to be.

"This emotional attitude and behavior of bureaucrats which
favor one group over another is clearly inconsistent with their
main responsibility, role and duty as instruments of the state,"
he said.

He said that government officials should carry out their
duties in a wise and just manner which accommodated all of the
various interest groups in society.

"This way they can remain consistent in their thoughts, their
speech and their conduct, based on sound moral and ethical
values," he added.

Hartas said there needed to be goodwill from the government to
promote a political culture based on the state ideology
Pancasila.

"These values must continually be promoted and implemented in
the daily life of the people and the state's apparatuses," he
said.

Hartas, who is a former chairman of the Armed Forces faction
in the People's Consultative Assembly, said that to secure the
realization of the so-called "Pancasila democracy" there had to
be ongoing political reform.

"Old paradigms must be eliminated. These include the culture
of asking for guidance, paternalism, centralization of power in
the hands of a few, rigid hierarchical structures and rigid
control enforced only to please the boss," he said.

"What we need is a new paradigm, which includes cooperation
between political infrastructure and superstructure, the
development of people's participation, encouraging the
independence of political groups, empowering the people and
providing equal opportunities for all in all respects," he said.

Former vice president Sudharmono said during the same seminar
that certain political steps taken by the government, such as its
review of the laws governing general elections, could be regarded
as bringing the country closer to greater democracy.

Although the moves may not satisfy the expectations of certain
groups, he said, everyone had to be aware of and pay attention to
the interests of all.(har/pwn)