Restoring the people's trust in government

By Mochtar Buchori

JAKARTA (JP): Recent statements made by government officials have been received as abrasive and offensive. A statement regarding the revival of the Darul Islam movement in West Java caused considerable public anger and rage in Tasikmalaya. Statements implying clandestine PKI operations have caused widespread cynicism and dismay. And statements that there is now peaceful coexistence between followers of different religions have puzzled many.

The latest statement to rankle regarded the readiness of the public to pay the exorbitant prices demanded by bus operators during Lebaran. Many complained that the surcharge they had to pay was much higher than the one announced by the government.

In response, several government officials blamed the public for not reporting the violations to government functionaries stationed at bus terminals to oversee the practices of bus operators.

The government cannot take measures unless the violations are reported officially. The minister of transportation blamed the public for not filing any official complaints. He added that, in his view, Indonesians had reached a level of prosperity that people should pay the higher fares, regardless of how much they were increased. This comment upset many, especially those dependent on buses to get them home for their yearly Lebaran visit.

In the Feb. 8 edition of Kompas, one bus passenger said: "Yesterday on television we heard the minister saying that [we] Indonesians are now quite well-to-do, and that this is why we should just pay the prices demanded by bus operators. In my opinion, this is not true. I wonder if those high-ranking government officials have any knowledge about the real problems behind the mass transportation chaos during the holidays. Don't they realize that Lebaran cannot be postponed?"

Another passenger commented that the question of bus fares was less an issue than getting a bus seat and getting to one's destination as quickly as possible. "Is it worth arguing about bus fares? If we keep haggling, I am afraid the bus will just leave without us. We don't care what the bus operators charge, the only thing that matters is that we get to where we want to be."

Another passenger added: "We resign ourselves to the fact that we are little people who cannot do anything in this case. There is only one thing that matters to us and that is to go home. Government officials talk but they will never have the slightest idea how people like us suffer."

What do these comments mean? In my opinion they denote two things. First, these "little people" were offended by the assumption that paying higher bus fares indicated greater affluence. Calling people who consider themselves poor "quite well-to-do" is an insult and a serious affront to their sense of self-respect. The statements were regarded as signs of government insensitivity and indifference.

Secondly, such statements erode these people's trust in government officials. They do not believe that government officials will ever understand their aspirations and consequently do not believe that government officials will do anything to improve their daily lives.

The same perception was also implied in an appeal made by Emha Ainun Nadjib, who two months ago urged government officials to use krama inggil (very polite) language whenever addressing the public.

Within the Javanese language there are three levels: the ngoko (low or rough) level used to address one's equals or others below; the krama (polite) level used to address someone for whom one has respect; and the krama inggil (very polite) level used to address someone of a much higher status.

In my opinion, Emha meant to say that government officials should show respect for the public, not just shout and bark orders. Talk to them in a humane manner. "Little people" have feelings and can also be offended. Emha's statement was a reminder that governing is not merely commanding.

Why did the renown poet and essayist make this statement? My guess is that he must have been moved by the "sub-human" treatment -- in which laws, regulations, and other norms of decency are discarded by government officials -- to which the common people are subjected. He may have been moved by the situations that have made the common people lose trust in and respect for government officials.

The situation is harmful and makes the smooth running of society impossible. If we want to reduce the tensions that exist in our society today, public trust in the government must be restored.

The writer is an observer of social and cultural affairs.