Student movements must not be used for political gain

Student movements must not be used for political gain

The following is an interview with Chusnul Mar'iyah, a
political lecturer at the University of Indonesia who was
recently elected a member of the General Elections Commission.
She spoke on the current pressure against President Abdurrahman
Wahid to resign.

Question: Groups of students have gone as far as besieging the
State Palace to force President Abdurrahman, or Gus Dur, into
resigning. How significant is this motion?

Answer: The student movement calling for Gus Dur's removal is
indeed extraordinary. They went as far as calling for a national
strike (though) the public failed to respond ... These (student)
demonstrations are part of democratization. But they should be
more critical and realize that dissolving a government isn't
necessarily a democratic action.

The mechanism for democratization should be prioritized. The
House of Representatives (DPR) have actually responded to
(motions against the President) by issuing the first censure.

I really regret (People's Consultative Assembly Speaker) Amien
Rais' decision to take part in the student demonstrations ... But
why couldn't he invite student leaders to the MPR?

Will all affairs of our country be resolved like this, using
extraconstitutional means? This is an important question because
the current student movement has greatly affected the economy as
seen in the decline of the rupiah.

The constitutional process should therefore be allowed to run
its course. Of course, the students should also be given a
platform. I am not blaming them, but they shouldn't just wage
their demands from the streets, though it's true that many
changes have started from the streets.

How would you compare the student movement of today to the
movement in 1998?

They are not exactly the same ... They are not as solid now as
they were then. Besides, not as many nongovernmental
organizations are taking part in their (current) movement. At
that time, civil society was really solid. Today however, not
everybody is supporting the students' cause.

Does that mean the current student movement won't be able to
make significant changes?

They remain ... a significant pressure group. But the agenda
launched by members of the political elite should be in line with
constitutional procedures and democratic mechanisms. They should
not take advantage of student demonstrations for their own
political gain.

(This point is important) given how leaders of the MPR and DPR
and their members have already concluded that there will be a
special MPR session to replace the President with Megawati
Soekarnoputri. This only worsens the situation.

It's like they don't care about the means, as along as they
can replace the President.

They should wait, so the process remains constitutional.
Remember, the procedure says that they have to go through the
first memorandum, the second, the special assembly session,
before they can replace the President.

What we have seen is something (contradictory).

Certain DPR members had started the motion for a special MPR
session as soon as the memorandum was issued. Why had they done
it? What has become apparent is that they were in a hurry to take
over power rather than in taking care of other national problems.

How important is today's student movement?

Firstly, it is clear that not all students are involved in the
movement. Secondly, not all members of civil society are
supporting the movement ... Even the cause that they are fighting
for is not as strong as the one carried by the students of 1998.

And your assessment of Gus Dur's position today?

I have been watching and criticizing him since last year. His
problem is his crumbling legitimacy. He has been censured by the
DPR. He should respond to it if he really wants to retain his
position. He should answer the public's needs.

Now if he wanted to resign, that would be his right. But he
should wait several months for that to happen. Additionally,
every motion should be carried out according to its appropriate
mechanism. Otherwise it will set a bad precedent.

Today, for instance, students are using the same strategy that
was applied in 1998, because their memories (about the success of
the 1998 student movement) are still fresh. The leaders of
today's student movement were freshmen then. (So they are saying)
if we could do it in 1998, why not now?

I am not dismissing the student movement of today. As a moral
force, they are needed anytime and anywhere. The question,
however, is how will members of the political elite respond
today? Are they willing to toe the line or not?

What situation is likely to emerge from the President's
current condition?

Again, if the President continues to ignore the memorandum he
could be impeached. But if he chooses to adhere to it, he will
probably survive. So I was disappointed that when he was invited
to address the DPR, he walked out of the forum instead.

Hundreds of Gus Dur's supporters are coming to Jakarta. What
social impacts do you think are likely to occur from the
heightening tension?

There could be violence. And trauma. How could communities
resolve their problems if they were traumatized?

Compare our country with Thailand and South Korea who are
experiencing an economic recovery, building upon their democratic
culture and resolving their conflicts.

What could really push Gus Dur to quit the presidency?

His legitimacy has hit rock bottom, and there are calls by
students and members of the public against his presidency. But it
will all depend upon how the constitutional process is respected,
especially by Gus Dur himself -- whether he respects the
memorandum or not.

Some DPR factions have agreed to stage a special MPR session
that they claim would be constitutional. Will this be the
collapse of Gus Dur?

Despite the memorandum, which was meant to temporarily halt
thoughts of toppling him, MPR members have said they will replace
Gus Dur. These developments have coincided with the mobilization
of support for an early MPR special session.

Actually, it is only a matter of time ... (they shouldn't)
force a replacement today (and) use extraconstitutional measures.
(Deka Kurniawan)