Real meaning of freedom still persued
Real meaning of freedom still persued
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians must pursue the real meaning of freedom despite national independence, social and political observers say.
Speakers at a weekend seminar, sponsored by the Driyarkara School of Philosophy, attempted to answer the "meaning and promises" of Indonesian independence proclaimed on Aug. 17, 1945.
"When the republic was established, it was a state based on law. The founding fathers knew that if the law didn't rule the game from the beginning, a crisis would ensue because the power of the state would become absolute and fascist," Mudji Sutrisno, a lecturer at Driyarkara, claimed.
The nation has granted freedom to the state at the cost of individuals, he continued.
"The Proclamation of Independence challenges us to free ourselves as individuals and create a prosperous society," Mudji added.
He said there has been too much respect for the state and too little respect for individuals.
According to Mudji, collusion between economic and political powers is rife in such situations. "These people even have the capability to abuse the law to legitimize their actions."
Daniel Dhakidae, a researcher for the Kompas daily, said the difference in interests between the country, representing the people, and the state, representing the government, has resulted in a "tug of war" between the two.
He said that the economy, education, the mass media, political parties and religion have been corralled to serve the state.
"There is privatization, but the bureaucracy determines which companies must become the country's private companies and which ones can become the private company's country," he declared.
Mudji said that the political power's hegemony has stripped the public's critical conscience as well as its ability to transform society because no room is left for criticism or control, be it by the mass media or the House of Representatives.
Several participants at the seminar, which was attended by students, activists, freedom fighters and retired government officials, questioned the role of the judicial and legislative bodies in funneling power to only a few people.
Albert Hasibuan, lawyer and General Manager of the Suara Pembaruan daily, said the People's Consultative Assembly, which is the country's highest law-making body, will continue to fail to supervise the administration if the assembly maintains its tradition of convening once every five years.
"An active assembly should meet more often. Its should determine its own structure and actions in relation to the implementation of policy guidelines it has decreed," he said. (pwn)