The military will keep supporting Golkar: Singh

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.