The military will keep supporting Golkar: Singh

By Wirasti Wiryono

JAKARTA (JP): Political scientist Bilveer Singh of the National University of Singapore has been studying Indonesia for years and is paying particular attention to the general election.

His published work includes Bear and Garuda, Soviet-Indonesia Relations from Lenin to Gorbachev... (1994) and The Dual Function of the Indonesian Armed Forces: Origins, Actualization and Implications for Stability and Development (1995).

He recently gave The Jakarta Post his opinion of the Armed Forces' (ABRI) political role and other issues relating to the election.

Question: What's your opinion of the Armed Forces' role in the dominant Golkar's program to win the election?

Answer: The role of the Armed Forces' has been paramount since 1945 and I do not see this depreciating greatly. ABRI, through its... concept of Dwifungsi (the dual function of playing a sociopolitical and defense role), will continue to be a determining force in Indonesian politics.

The question is whether (this role is played) from the front, middle or rear. Tut Wuri handayani (playing the backseat role) now dominates the Armed Forces' role. One must view its role in the election from this perspective.

However, the fact that ABRI and Golkar have been closely associated is something that cannot be... dismissed. ABRI gave birth to Golkar. ABRI was Golkar's midwife and to that extent, ABRI will for some time have a great stake in the ruling party's viability.

This is all the more so because of certain individuals, like Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono who is prepared to stake his personal reputation for Golkar and makes no bones about where ABRI stands as far as Golkar is concerned.

While 'purists'... like Gen. (ret) A.H. Nasution would like to see a gradual distancing of ABRI from Golkar, I see no signs of this during the general election.

To that extent, ABRI will play an important role in helping Golkar win, but this is not to say that the other parties will be gravely discriminated.

It cannot be denied that the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) have been greatly weakened by infighting and their lack of appeal. They are no match whatsoever for Golkar and it makes sense for ABRI to support Golkar, which has contributed greatly to national development and security.

As long as ABRI is even-handed and does not abuse its power vis-a-vis other political parties, I guess there will not be too much made about its support and contributions in ensuring Golkar more than 70 percent of the national vote on May 29.

And this is simply because the public would expect ABRI to do so, something ABRI has been doing since the first general election under the new order.

Q: What are the prospects for greater democratization and human rights in Indonesia?

A: People (in Southeast Asia) are likely to demand a greater role in political decision making. This means that greater democratization is unavoidable.

At the same time, there will be more demand for respect of human rights. All the talk about Asian and Western democracies and human rights is irrelevant. It is an attempt to skirt the issue and it only makes power holders look defensive in the face of imminent and eventual change.

It would be foolish to emulate Western practices lock, stock and barrel. We need to find our own bearings, and how each society finds them is something best left to each particular society.

All the talk on Asian verses Western values is nothing more than an attempt to impose one's values and this type of colonialism should not be condoned. Thus, as Indonesia marches into the 21st century, you will have no choice but to open your political corridor for greater democratization and do away with any policy which seems to undermine human rights.

But this does not mean that societies cannot overcome their threats from within -- again each society will know best how to define what threats are, and how to manage them.

You consider Budiman (Sudjatmiko) and Bintang (Pamungkas) as threats. In Singapore (we have different threats). If these are not really threats and the government persecutes such individuals then the government will eventually lose its legitimacy. It is that simple.

No government can get away with "political murder" and this means that when a government decides to discipline a particular individual, it knows full well its strengths and limitations as it stands to reap the benefits or pay for the consequences.

Q: What is your opinion on the future development of Islam?

A: This is one of the most misunderstood subjects...I am rather comfortable with the way Islam has developed in Indonesia. I also believe in a country like Indonesia... (which) cannot be extremist by definition. It must be tolerant to all.

But there is no doubt that Indonesia has an Islamic majority, which is a political reality that any political leader will have to contend with. (Islam), especially since the launch of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals seven years ago, has been reasserting itself.

This has led many to argue that Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise but I doubt this is the case. In any society, there will always be deviants, religious or otherwise.

Such deviancy is dangerous, all the more in a country like Indonesia which gives legitimacy and respect to other religions... I have great faith in the Javanese people, who by nature are syncretic and are unlikely to be extremist.

In view of this... Islam is finding its new place under the Indonesian sun.