'Total reform' necessary to heal crisis

Indonesia is witnessing growing demands for economic and political reform as the best way to overcome the economic crisis. Political analyst Amien Rais, who is also the chairman of the 28- million-strong Moslem organization Muhammadiyah, proposes a platform for the reform.

Question: Many have speculated the current economic crisis is part of a conspiracy engineered by certain parties. Do you agree?

Answer: We cannot rule out such possibilities. Although I'm not an economist I can understand if the rupiah's exchange rate against the U.S. dollar falls to, let's say, 5,000. But if it reaches 15,000, there must be political factors at work.

I believe certain market forces and external powers hope to precipitate political change in Indonesia through economic pressures. Learning that the movement is politically motivated, I have repeatedly called for the nation, including entrepreneurs who were raised by the state, to share the burden and work together to cope with the crisis.

Q: How great a chance is there for reform to take place?

A: Ideally, there should be a complete break with the past. There must be a totally new leadership, including new president, ministers and spirit. But if President Soeharto suddenly steps down and his cronies take over and apply the old management of the state, we may not be able to develop further.

I don't like revolution. My analysis suggests reform without violent revolution as the latter will only destroy order. But at the same time I'm... skeptical whether such reform would succeed because the "disease" is so chronic that it needs surgery. So, we may need revolutionary changes without having to incite violence.

Peaceful reform requires two (factors): people who are patient enough to wait for the desired changes to take place, and a power structure which is open to demands for changes. If we cannot afford the conditions, another option should be taken, and that is people power.

Q: Will the rising demands for change result in bloodshed?

A: It depends completely on the position taken by the government. If it remains stubborn, turns a deaf ear to the demands or confronts such moves with counter demonstrations, bloodshed is unavoidable. Unfortunately, many say bloodshed is a must and I'm afraid that it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We have to avoid bloodshed as long as we can. How can the nation grow if bloodshed mars every succession of national leadership?

Q: Some observers have suggested the reelection of Soeharto in order to avoid instability...

A: I can hardly understand people who insist that Pak Harto be reelected for the sake of regional security and stability. On the contrary, there is a growing need to engineer an elegant succession, in order to avoid trouble and chaos if Pak Harto suddenly decides to retire.

There is no indispensable leader in the world...

I believe we need a clean and grand coalition, because no single group will be able to bear the burdens of the nation by itself. A well-knit team must be formed by the Armed Forces, political organizations, academics, non-governmental organizations and mass organization figures, entrepreneurs and other groups.

The coalition, which must comprise relatively clean people, should set up a grand policy to assist the post-Soeharto national leadership.

Q: What are the grounds for the grand coalition?

A: I've reached a conclusion... that our nation state must serve as the prima facie for all measures of reform at present and in the future. The foundation of our nation state is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity).

We know it's not easy to maintain the pluralism. Any effort to go against (the pluralism) will mean an attempt to tear down the pillars of the nation.

Pancasila is the final ideology (for Indonesia), so it's not necessary to argue (about its role as the binding force).

Q: You have said you are willing to stand for the presidency. If you are elected, will you revive the Jakarta Charter (a draft of Pancasila which strove to establish Islamic laws as the basis for Indonesians' faith)?

A: I honestly say, before the angels Raqib and Atid (who Moslems believe witness a person's every deed), why should I do that? I would only spark unnecessary troubles. We have passed through a long trial and error learning process, the result of which was our founding fathers' refusal to adopt the Jakarta Charter, so let's close the case and make it part and parcel of the past.

Q: Do you have a team which helps you formulate ideas on how the reform should be implemented?

A: Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah) I am not walking alone. I have close friends... we propose, among other things, the limitation of the presidential term of office, equal power sharing, open recruitment of the political elite based on meritocracy, clean government, regional autonomy, the rule of law and a constitutional succession of the national leadership.

We have learned a lot from the errors this regime has made and will not repeat the mistakes. (amd)