Don't let violence derail the fledgling democracy

Rizal Sukma , Jakarta | Mon, 02/18/2008 1:33 PM | Headlines

It is sad to say that after almost 10 years of political reform, incidents of violence, instead of receding, have in fact become more and more common. Over the last few weeks alone, we have been presented by a series of media reporting on the occurrence of violent acts committed by both elements of society and state apparatus.

In late January, for example, hundreds of students of HKBP Nomensen University in Medan, North Sumatra, ransacked their own campus. They were angry at the rector's decision to expel 16 of their colleagues and suspend 24 others. In early February, a group of armed soldiers attacked police officers, destroyed their houses and burned down the police headquarters in Central Maluku. Two police officers and one soldier died as a result, while six others were injured.

In mid-February, hundreds of protesters in Sidoarjo, East Java, clashed with security guards.

These types of violence have indeed become a repeated phenomenon. Combined with student brawls, violent public protests and assaults by one group of society against another (such as in the case of Ahmadiyah), it is hard to deny the fact that violence has been on the rise within both our society and the state. When elements of the society and the state apparatus are increasingly engaged in violent acts, then we should start worrying about the fate of democracy in this country.

The most dangerous implication of violence on democracy often comes in the form of the growing doubt about the merit of democracy itself. For one, the newly appointed Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Djoko Santoso, referring to violent protests over cases of election disputes in some regions, has already suggested that Indonesia may not yet be prepared for democracy. Immediately after the death of former president Soeharto, many glorified his ability to ensure order regardless the methods he employed.

Democracy cannot survive in a society still beset by the habit of resorting to violence as a means of resolving differences. In fact, the very essence of democracy is to provide a civilized and peaceful mechanism for resolving conflicts, differences and disputes. In a violence-prone society, democratic ways of dispute-settlement would have a hard time becoming "the only game in town". In other words, they would threaten the survival of democracy itself.

The appointment of a military officer to become the acting governor of South Sulawesi province, even though he had to relinquish his active military status, has clearly brought back the memory of the "efficacy" of New Order's model of imposing discipline and order in society. More worrisome is the fact that society, as demonstrated by a recent survey by Kompas daily, has begun to approve of such model (Feb. 4, 2008).

Indeed, it is time for pro-democracy elements -- both within the political elite and society in general -- in Indonesia to reflect upon this problem. We might be annoyed by the repeated remarks made by Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono that civilian forces in the country are still weak. However, he might have a point. The attitude of some political leaders, such as refusing to admit defeat in elections in some regions, often encourages violence among supporters.

Civilian elites need to learn how to practice democracy in its truest sense. Democracy is not merely about getting power, it is also about how to use that power. Democracy provides not only the space for everyone to participate in politics, but also requires all to abide by democratic rules and norms. Indeed, the institutionalization of the culture of democracy among civilian elites is still a work in progress.

However, it is also equally important to warn the military and the police that their main function is to create and maintain peace, not to foment violence. Clashes between the military and the police are obviously a bad example for the society and undermine people's trust and confidence in these two institutions. If people have no respect for the military or police, the state can hardly prevent violence from breaking out in society.

Much has been achieved since the democratization process started in 1998. We should not let the growing incidents of violence derail this. All elements of the society and the state should make this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of reformasi, the beginning of addressing the problem of violence in a comprehensive and coherent manner. Otherwise, I am afraid that we might not be able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of reformasi.

The writer is the deputy executive director of the Centre for Strategic International Studies in Jakarta.

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