Trouble in Temanggung

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.