Trouble in Temanggung

A'an Suryana, Jakarta

Discontent in Temanggung regency, Central Java, culminated on Wednesday in a massive protest attended by about 10,000 people, demanding that Regent Totok Ary Prabowo step down for corruption and arrogance. The demonstration echoed actions in Kampar regency, Riau, last year, which led to the ouster of then Kampar regent Jefri Noer.

Whether the Temanggung protest leads to the dismissal of Totok, however, remains to be seen. The road is a long and windy one for Temanggung councillors and others that have defied his leadership. On Thursday, Totok failed to convince the councillors that he had not been arrogant in leading the regency. Later, the President would also have to be convinced -- one way or the other -- as his endorsement is required for the dismissal of a regent.

The Kampar and Temanggung cases are useful examples of the benefits of direct elections for the country, as local administration heads have long been elected by local councils -- a remnant of the New Order government.

As a result, pork barrel politics has been a feature of regional administrations over the years.

In the Temanggung case, pressure on the regent mounted after over 100 civil servants issued a motion of no confidence against him. That rebellion was followed up by other measures, including the massive protest designed to bring about Totok's dismissal.

In this case, the councillors have been used as tool for pushing a group's interests.

Besides being prone to pork barrel politics, an "indirect" democracy can also lead to inappropriate leadership choices, whereby the leader does not enjoy popular support. The legitimacy of such a leader may be easily questioned in times of crisis, leading to protests and the like.

Given these conditions, direct elections would seem like a smart move. And, in the middle of this year -- for the first time in the nation's history -- 160 regions will directly elect their leaders.

It is hoped that this will put an end to the power disputes and "chaos" that have lately plagued regional politics.

Cases such as the Temanggung and Kampar ones should not be seen in future years.

The people's discontent over the attitudes and characteristics of their leaders has led to street protests and other displays of dissatisfaction. However, they overlooked election outcomes as insignificant, though the process of election is crucial to a mature democracy.

Indeed, it is the people's right to orchestrate protests and exercise their freedom of expression. But, when that freedom of expression is politicized, it becomes counterproductive.

Protests as political feedback or as an expression of what is in the people's interests are healthy for democracy and for the betterment for all. However, continuous and protracted protests would cripple the wheels of bureaucracy. This could lead to instability and, if protests are not managed well, to violence.

People have to learn to respect democracy. They must honor the system. Democracy does not work if elected officials are replaced on a whim -- which would also be costly due to more frequent elections.

But, to be fair, many regents have not been mature either in exercising the principles of democracy. After assuming office, they did not use their power with wisdom. They acted as if they were kings -- albeit of small kingdoms.

Totok rotated and demoted many civil servants when he took over in July last year, sparking uproar among those civil servants concerned.

Earlier, Jefri Noer ordered a senior teacher to leave a meeting after the teacher queried him over the low budget for education in the regency.

Regents have also abused their power in setting rules and regulations. For example, they have issued retributions that placed too heavy a burden on local people, particularly businesspeople.

Such arrogance surfaced after the regional autonomy drive in 2001, which marked the shifting of power from the central government to regional ones.

Rampant power abuse has not only tarnished regents' images before the people, but often resulted into motions of no confidence against them. No wonder, any move to dismiss them is supported without much persuasion as "anti-Regent" feelings have been brewing for a while now.

Widespread protests, such as those in Kampar and Temanggung, signal to us that democracy -- which is generally marked by regular and peaceful power changes -- has only partly worked in the country.

The author is a staff writer for The Jakarta Post.