Sober alliance needed for reforms

Some university students involved in demonstrations held a dialog with ministers and the military last weekend. Mochtar Mas'oed, a lecturer in political sciences at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, reveals his views on the political climate in the aftermath of this controversial meeting.

Question: Why do some students involved in the demonstrations refuse to engage in dialog with government officials?

Mochtar: The majority of demonstrating students feel that they are in a strong bargaining position and are only interested in holding discussions with parties who can really make decisions on reform, not with officials who will just make notes.

On the other hand, students who were willing to engage in dialog with ministers and military leaders believe that it will help them to identify officials who might be willing to support their struggle for political, economic and legal reform.

Q: The students have raised their initial demands for a reduction in general prices and the instigation of reforms, and are now calling for changes in the cabinet and even the state leadership?

M: They have increased their demands because some of the students hold radical views. I think the most important thing is to include only students and government officials with moderate views in the dialog because otherwise radicals will dominate the meetings and inhibit the process of reform. Moderates from the two sides need to establish an alliance if they are to formulate the best format for reforms.

Q: Minister of Education and Culture Wiranto Arismunandar told rectors to stop their students from conducting 'practical politics' on university premises. Why did rectors refuse to do so?

M: Because rectors know the condition of their universities better than the minister and have closer contact with their students. If they had followed the minister's instruction they would have lost credibility with their students and staff and the demonstrations may have become dangerous and uncontrollable, posing a greater problem for the government.

Q: Do you think that government officials are taking student demands seriously?

M: They might be serious, but primarily most are considering the advantages and disadvantages for themselves in supporting the demands.

We need figures who have a farsighted vision of the nation, not those who think only of the short-term benefits for themselves. We need to be certain that reform will benefit all members of society.

Q: What do you think about the Armed Forces' (ABRI) initiative to begin dialog with the students?

M: The real power in Indonesia rests with ABRI. It is therefore natural that they took the lead and invited students to attend such a meeting. Furthermore, if they failed to contain the noisy demonstrations without trying this avenue they would undoubtedly be heavily criticized. Now that they have started, they should not be left alone.

Q: Do you think President Soeharto was serious when he told the military they could begin to get tough with unruly demonstrators if the situation required?

M: It does not matter whether Soeharto is serious or not. It seems that the President is not fully aware of the students' activities, so he merely considers them to be naughty children. The President needs to become better informed about the student movement.

Q: What should the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) do in response to the demands for reform?

M: Because they failed to consider popular aspirations during the General Assembly in March, they must now try to make amends and strive to fulfill their constitutional role. They must incorporate the student demands into their agenda for new legislation. As things currently stand, the students have taken over the legislative branch's obligation to embody society's aspirations.

Q: How do you view the recent clashes between demonstrating students and security officers?

M: Both parties have made mistakes. Some students provoked security officers, who in turn were too emotional and ill- disciplined in their response. Both parties must become more disciplined.

Q: What do you think about the disappearance of some student activists?

M: I cannot make any comment because I have no information about what happened. But if the issue is not resolved soon, the government, which is duty bound to protect its citizens, will blacken its reputation and that of Indonesia as a whole.

Q: Did you see any human rights violations during student demonstrations?

M: Oh, yes. Beating demonstrators who were peacefully expressing their opinions is a human rights violation. If rumors surrounding the disappearance of student activists turn out to be true, that too would be a serious human rights violation. The reappearance of some of the missing activists has raised more questions than it answered because they have refused to reveal their whereabouts during their prolonged absence.

Q: What are the prospects for a solution to the problems caused by student demonstrations?

M: If the government fails to take moves to overcome the worsening economic situation soon, the country's economic and social problems will get even worse. (riz)