Scholar proposes new model of politics for RI

Scholar proposes new model of politics for RI

JAKARTA (JP): Political scientist Amir Santoso has proposed a
"supportive participation" model of politics to tackle two major
hurdles which Indonesia is now facing: Growing demands for
democracy and a widening gap between the rich and the poor.

Speaking at Jayabaya University on Saturday, Amir said his
model would ensure continued political stability -- which he said
was crucial for development -- while at the same time
accommodating the changes occurring in society.

"In my opinion, a society which is more intellectual and
prosperous needs more room for the expression of opinions. In
other words, people need to participate," he said in an oration
marking the 37th anniversary of the private university.

He said he called the model "supportive participation" because
demonstrations and even coup d'etats, while forms of
participation, were destructive.

Amir said past policies of the New Order administration have
stifled people's participation in policy-making process.

He said the forced merger of political parties and the
government's intolerance towards criticism in the 1970s, the law
prescribing a single state ideology and restrictions on political
activities have all combined to limit the people's participation
in politics.

The end result is that the government has become very powerful
vis-a-vis the people, he said.

He noted, however, that the government had already eased some
of the restrictions as Indonesia began to move towards political
openness in 1990.

Amir's "supportive participation" model is based on the
following conditions:

* There must be a dominant party that transcends all ethnic,
religious and other groups in society. A ruling coalition has the
potential to create political instability.

* People's participation must start in the rural areas, giving
farming people a say in the election of their leaders and
influencing policies in their areas.

* The dominant party must strive to win the support of those
people in the rural areas, must open its doors to them. But rural
people's participation must be limited to their respective
villages. Given the heterogeneity of Indonesian society,
involvement of rural people in national politics could create
serious disruptions to political stability.

* The people's representative councils, especially in the
regions, must truly act as the people's representatives,
controlling the executive. At the local level, these councils
should have the power to reject or recommend appointments to key
government posts. At the national level, a People's
Representatives House must also have the power to vet candidates
for senior government positions.

* The Supreme Court and other legal institutions must be
guaranteed independence and must be free from pressure from the
executive and legislative branches of government.

* Political parties and mass organizations must be given
sufficient liberty to provide the people with political
education. These organizations should become channels through
which society monitors the bureaucracy.

Amir said his model also envisaged a strong executive.

"There must be a balance in the bargaining power between the
people and the state or the government," he said, adding that
this would reduce the likelihood of any of them abusing their
power.

Amir said that greater participation by the people would at
least help reduce the discontent often accompanying the
inequality in the distribution of the fruits of development

"By allowing them to have their say, express opinions and
influence policies, the people will find a legal and
constitutional channel to air their desires and feelings," he
said. (rms)