What kind of government? In the last days of Suharto's presidency, 50 prominent establishment and opposition figures proposed themselves as a "People's Council" to supervise the "transition to democracy." Edwin Gozal of the radical left People's Democratic Party (PRD) warns of the limits of this proposal, and calls for the formation of a more popular democratic movement. This extract from the vigorous and wide-ranging debate within the opposition movement shows the difficulty in building an opposition force able to confront the more sophisticated representatives of the status quo, who have deposed Suharto to save the system. Despite this "People's Council's" stated desire to solve the economic and political crisis, and despite the present of outspoken figure such as [moderate Muslim leader] Amien Rais, Gunawan Muhammad, Hendari and Mudrick Sangidoe, the big question is whether this Council can impose democracy in the post-Suharto era.
The idea to set up a People's Council 4 International Viewpoint #301 which will become a transition government that will reconstruct Indonesia's socio-economic and political structure is a good one. We can't rely on the corrupt system of Suharto's New Order regime. And none of the structures of that regime are pro-people institutions. Certainly not the puppet parliament, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPRand People's Representative Council (DPR).
But does this particular "People's Council" have a clear programme for politician and economic reform in Indonesia? As far as we know, it only calls for Suharto to resign, for the military not to use force in dealing with the people, and calls for the students, youth and common people to maintain the peaceful situation.
This is not a political programme that will guarantee democratisation in Indonesia. They have no clear position in favour of abolishing military intervention in civilian affairs. They have no clear position about repealing the repressive political values in Indonesia.
Looking at the personalities suggested as members of this "People's Council, we see mainly people connected with the New Order regime.' Those people still represent the ruling class. They will not impose any pro people programme. They will try to maintain the corrupt New Order regime. PIJAR's concept for a new government
A similar call for a "transitional government" has been made by PIJAR, one of the few organised student groups. Their criteria for individuals who are eligible to sit in this transitional government are "people with proven social commitment, and who are still young."
This proposal looks like a good step for the democratisation process in Indonesia. Power should indeed be handed over to the people. But unfortunately, PIJAR still wants to maintain the old New Order system. They still want to maintain puppet MPR/DPR politicians, former ministers, and, last but by no means least, General Wiranto, Chief Commander of the
It will be very hard for those people to impose democracy. When they used to be in government they never tried to introduce democratic changes, in the people's interest.
The PIJAR proposal also includes individuals from the Indonesian Muslim Intellectual Association, the secular nationalist PDI political party, and well known critical analysts.? But the question is, are the Indonesian people only represented by this section of the population? What about the working class, urban poor and students? If the transition government is only based on a small section of society, it will not become a
genuine representative of the people. For an Independent People's Council
We of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) also call for the formation of an People's Council. But this Independent People's Council should be a genuine representative of the people, from the village to the national level. We need representatives who are trusted by the people, and who will take up and defend the people's interest with full accountability and honesty. The council should include all locally-elected representatives, and representatives of functional groups, representatives of all economic sectors and professions, political parties and independent mass organisations which wish to struggle with the people for democracy.
This council should also include some of the opposition personalities who remain in Suharto's prisons because of their struggle against dictatorship.*
Most importantly, this council should have a firm commitment to reform. * Notes 1. Like Arifin Panigoro, a leading member of the ruling Golkar party. Former ministers like Frans Seda and Emil Salim. Former economic advisers to Suharto like Muhammad Sadli. 2. Puppet MPR/DPR politician like Gus Dur and Mudirck Sangidu as the Chairperson. Former vice-president Try Sutrisno, and former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad, former environment minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. 3. Adi Sasono from the Indonesian Muslim Intellectual Association, Kwik Kian Gie and Laksamana Sukardi from the secular nationalist PDI political party, and well known critical analysts like Mulya Lubis, Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Permadi. 4. People like PRD Chairperson Budiman Sudjatmiko, independent labour leader Dita Indah Sari (President of the Indonesian Centre for Labour Struggle - PPBD, Sri Bintang Pamungkas of PUDI and Muchtar Pakpahan of SBSI.
Don't stop now!
As the Indonesian establishment and moderate opposition leaders rally around
Suharto's replacement, President Habibie, the radical wing of the opposition stresses the need to keep fighting for the following