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)