The elite blamed for cynicism

The elite blamed for cynicism

JAKARTA (JP): The majority of the Indonesian people have grown
cynical to the values of nationalism, chiefly because of the
behavior and attitude of the elite, according to Minister of
Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat.

In an unusually hard-hitting speech, Edi said in Yogyakarta
yesterday that most violations of the law have been committed by
people at the top of society, the very group that is expected to
set an example and provide leadership in a exceedingly
paternalistic society like Indonesia.

"If we observe properly, criticism of (the state ideology)
Pancasila are not leveled at its basic values, but at its
practical values. This is because in normal conditions we have
failed to observe those values that we should be upholding," he
was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying.

The retired general gave the opening address at a two-day
discussion on nationalism, organized by Taman Siswa, one of
Indonesia's oldest educational institutions in Yogyakarta.

Some 200 people, ranging from intellectuals to politicians,
are participating in the meeting which will also be addressed by
other senior government officials.

Edi cited corruption, poor leadership and officials'
insistence on being served by the public instead of serving them
as examples of the violations and irregularities committed by the
elite. He said this is found everywhere in Indonesia.

These violations and irregularities, he added, appear to have
even been accepted as normal by some segments of society.

"Although these violations may not be widespread, as they are
limited to only the Indonesian elite, the end result is that
people become cynical towards those who are running the nation,"
he said.

Such cynicism could also cause people to become indifferent
towards the national ideology, and this in turn would open the
way for the intrusion of foreign values, he reasoned.

"The violations found in cities, while considered normal by
some, are regarded as disgraceful acts by those who feel that
they are wrong," Edi insisted.

The minister said that in a heterogeneous and paternalistic
society like Indonesia, people still look for leadership and
role-models, something that should be provided by the elite.

He described the elite group as the "lighthouse" by which the
rest of society steers.

The difficulty with the current government's National
Discipline Campaign is that discipline violations are being
committed by those at the top of society, he said.

Edi also said that the progress and modernization that
Indonesia has achieved through national development programs has
not been as widespread as many believe.

If observed properly, development has only led to the creation
of several "oases" in society, he said.

"So we now have an economic oasis, a science-technology oasis,
and an industrial oasis. Even the modernization process that is
currently taking place has created an oasis in the middle of a
chiefly traditional society," he said.

Bearing this in mind, the chief national agenda should be to
ensure greater equality in society by eliminating these oases.

This, he said, could be achieved by creating a society that is
highly disciplined, upholds a work ethic and has a strong sense
of nationalism. "The attitude and behavior of the elite people is
crucial to the realization of national goals," Edi said. (emb)