Renewal of spirit
Renewal of spirit
I am not in favor of, or against any group or political party.
Please read my words; I am in favor of renewal of spirit in every
field, if that is possible. Statesmen with vision should see
every development in an historical perspective.
To historians, the reform movement which led to the downfall
of Soeharto is seen as process of renewal in democratic spirit
from a so-called Pancasila democracy to a transparent democracy.
Regrettably, most of our leaders show little in terms of
spiritual renewal. Instead, they are thinking of how to set up a
monument for themselves.
The success of a national leader can no longer be measured by
the duration of a stay in power. Soeharto stayed in power for
more than 30 years but what we see around us now shows little, if
any, in terms of national spiritual renewal. Even
materialistically, it was the influential, the rich and the
privileged who got the benefit, not the most needy population.
Now we have a crisis involving the executive power and the
Central National Election Committee (KPU), which actually
represents the people's sovereignty in transition. The ministers,
while still retaining their executive power, are actually in a
state of demission. In other democracies, Cabinet ministers would
not be barred from joining their parties' election bandwagon but
their government would have tendered its resignation.
It is perhaps a greedy trait left over from Soeharto's regime
why they want to retain power while enjoying political influence.
Are there no more noble values but winning while your own group
has been full of blemishes?
President Habibie has now even been blackmailed. He either
consents to his ministers joining the campaign activities or the
state secretary will resign his post, thus creating a Cabinet
crisis situation.
The matter has been referred to the Supreme Court, which,
indeed, judicially may have the right to decide. However, this is
a case for the sovereign (let us say in transition) people; in
this case, the KPU members to decide.
Spiritual renewal? Well, even though there is no sign of
reformist renewal! The release of political detainees seems to
have been imposed from outside.
Some people suggest that KPU members should also be barred
from campaigning. In that case, it would be tantamount to barring
representatives of the people on which the sovereignty rests --
not on the executive branch and mostly remains of the New Order
administration -- from the election process.
The situation is confusing and irritating; or just tragically
clownish? It seems that the cries of hungry people, complaints of
laid-off workers, fleeing mothers and their children, tribal
clashes or demands for greater autonomy of self-rule do not reach
the ears of those -- not all -- ambitious to become the next
president of the country.
Forget judging matters from the historical perspective. Forget
also reformist ideas and ideals. Forget renewal of spirit!
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta