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)