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)