Reflections on Indonesia's general election

Menggugat Pemilu (Questioning the General Election) Parulian Donald S. (Introduction by Luhut M.P. Pangaribuan) Pustaka Sinar Harapan, Jakarta, 1997 XIV and 140 pp Rp 7,900

JAKARTA (JP): The book, despite its title, does not ask readers to boycott the general election; but it also does not dissuade them from joining non-voters. The book contains reflections on the activities leading to the election. The author invites its readers to look at our nation's democratic life as reference points for the realization of a more democratic state.

The author has reflected on five issues, the election mechanism, the relationship between the Armed Forces and the Indonesian Civil Servants Corps (Korpri) with Golkar; the principles of integrity and justice; the presence of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) and the significance of the 1997 general election.

Prior to presenting his main subjects, Parulian assessed the meaning of democracy. Referring to the thoughts of statesmen and political experts such as Abraham Lincoln, Juan Linz, R.A. Dahl and Keith Graham, the author concluded that understanding democracy is reflected in providing the maximum space for people to participate in the movement as good citizens (pp. 2, 3).

In the author's opinion the general election is a manifestation of the people's involvement and at the same time the best way to realize the essence of democracy. People are allowed to freely elect people to be their leaders, without any external restraints (p. 5).

In Indonesia, as a result of national consensus, the role of the general election is to choose House members. Although this is not mentioned explicitly in the 1945 Constitution, it is a grand occasion for the people, taking place once every five years. The general election is the implementation of the people's sovereignty.

The general election should involve the people as organizers. But in reality this is not the case. The organizers of the general election are the government and the bureaucracy which belong to Golkar, while the other sociopolitical forces, the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party, do not play a role in the organization of the general election as a whole. This one-sided mechanism creates possibilities for fraud (pp. 18-24).

The author also tries to critically examine the Armed Forces' role and the Korpri membership in the realization of democracy. The Armed Forces are an integral part of the people. Therefore, the Armed Forces' commitment should be in line with the people's will. The nation has decided that the government is the people's state, and therefore the Armed Forces also plays a role in the enforcement of democratic principles. But in the author's opinion, this is still far from reality. (pp. 31-34).

In his opinion, the relationship between Korpri and Golkar may be an obstacle to democracy. He observed that "de facto" Korpri members are loyal to Golkar. Formerly this relationship existed in the framework of the functionalization of government officials, but today it is replete with political content.

Those civil servants even face moral and political demands on single loyalty (p. 37). This, says the author, has created an unhealthy political situation. Injustice remains something to be swallowed by the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party.

The author believes that for the sake of a democratic general election, government officials must be reinstated to their true function. They should not be a tool for the success of a certain group in the general election (p. 39).

In a subsequent study, the author analyzed the principle of integrity and justice in the implementation of the general election. The principle implies that the election must adhere to the prevailing regulations, with no fraud distorting the results. The organizers must show appropriate conduct, highly respect truth and not be allowed to take sides among the contenders in obtaining people's votes (p. 43). Unfortunately, the principle has yet been fully implemented, not because it is not in law, but because of the absence of law enforcement.

Vote rigging

Parulian says the political groups must convince society and the law enforcers that vote rigging in the general election is criminal. There are two ways to convince the people. First, by campaigning the stipulations on criminal acts in the election and the seriousness of such criminal offenses. Second, by taking fraudulent cases to court (p. 85).

But about the presence of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee? Their presence cannot be separated from the increased active participation of society in enforcing democracy. It is needed to improve the quality of democracy in this country where the people's sovereignty is above all forces (pp. 79-81). But the problem is whether their presence is constitutional or not. According to the author, if one refers to the 1945 Constitution the question is not relevant because the government-backed Committee for the Supervision of the Election (Panwaslak) is not mentioned in the constitution.

The author also reflects on the significance of the 1997 general election. He believes the sixth election in the New Order era is very strategic. There are two basic reasons for this. First, it takes place at the start of the Second Long-Term Development recognized as the take-off period of development and in an era in which Indonesia will soon enter economic globalization. Second, it is estimated that the post-election period will see the transfer of the 1945 leadership to the next generation. Therefore, the outcome of the election is decisive. (p. 85).

On the threshold of the 21st century, Indonesia is not free from the rapid changes taking place in the world. The House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will play a strategic role because the legislators will determine the strategy, the direction and the objectives of development in the new century full of dynamic changes. The quality of the legislators will determine the quality of the policies of democratic life in this country in the globalization era.

The studies in this book show depth and significance. The author invites lovers of democracy, especially the election contenders, to briefly look into the past. The invitation is not meant to open old wounds. It is rather a reflection that may lead to a change in the democratic life of this country.

-- Kasdin Sihotang

The writer is a lecturer at the Center of Ethics Development, Atma Jaya Catholic University in Jakarta.