Sri Bintang's new party

Sri Bintang's new party

For years many people have complained that Indonesia's current
political system is outdated and should be reformed in line with
new developments. One should remember that the current system was
created and tailored by the New Order government some 25 years
ago to depoliticize the country in order to achieve the "national
stability" which was perceived as a prerequisite for the national
development drive. Under this system only three political parties
are allowed. And even they are banned from indulging in
activities in the rural areas, under a scheme known as the
"floating mass" system. This aims to keep the majority of the
population politically inactive.

Some critics even go as far as to denounce the current
political system as being obsolete and accuse the government of
overzealously defending it in order to maintain the status quo.

Indications of such an attitude are abundant. The emergence
twenty years ago of what is referred to as Golput (the white
group) -- people who cast blank votes or intentionally damage
their ballot papers in protest at the electoral system -- is
just one example. In more recent years many people, particularly
disenchanted young citizens, have chosen to form non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) to channel their aspirations and
frustrations, resulting in the establishment of thousands of
NGOs. The increasing number of student demonstrations in the last
few months demanding political reform also implies a growing
dissatisfaction with the current system.

Hence, the establishment of a new political party, the
Indonesian Democratic Union Party (PUDI), by maverick politician
Sri Bintang Pamungkas, should be seen from this perspective.
Bintang may have his personal reasons for defying the current law
by setting up the PUDI, but it is obvious that he is a very keen
observer who is deliberately challenging the government by
cultivating the existing discontent.

Judging from Bintang's statements following the PUDI's
establishment, it is apparent that the new party is not a party
in the old sense, in that it is not based on ideology, but is
more of a coalition of government critics who have decided to
test the temperature of the political water.

It will be interesting to see the follow-up to the
government's refusal to recognize the new party, as stated by
Minister of the Interior Yogie S. Memed earlier this week. In
this context, one cannot help but liken the PUDI to the unlawful
Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union which has successfully
maintained its existence despite constant harassment and pressure
from government officials.

Sri Bintang must have been well aware of the possible
consequences of his doings. But he has nothing to lose since he
will have to serve a 34-month jail term after being convicted of
slandering President Soeharto, unless his appeal to the high
court is accepted. By claiming that his party is an opposition
party and that it provides "fresh blood which will heal
Indonesian politics" it is obvious that Bintang wants to welcome
young people into his fold.

The strongest point in support of the PUDI and other similar
organizations which have defied the government's ban on political
organizations, is Chapter 28 of the Constitution which guarantees
the people's right to assemble and associate. Or, to use Sri
Bintang Pamungkas' words, "Our legitimacy comes from the people".
By flying this banner, it is obvious that Bintang wants to
proclaim that any measures taken against his new party will run
against the Constitution.

From the political standpoint, it is unlikely that the PUDI
will shake the government's tight grip on the political system.
However, if its establishment should trigger a snowballing
effect, it might cause new headaches for the authorities.

The establishment of the PUDI is more evidence that times have
changed. The very success of the national development drive has
created a new generation, a new situation and a new way of
thinking. All these should be addressed in a manner different
from how we have become accustomed to handling the consequences
of development.

It is time to review the current political format. To close
the door to change with the excuse that the current system is a
product of a national consensus arrived at some two or three
decades ago, is to bury one's head in the sand.

After three decades of national development we have emerged as
a stronger nation. Nobody in this country wants instability and
chaos but a greater measure of democracy will not hurt us and
will even make us a stronger nation.