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)