Forum: The fledgling democracy

I agree in sharing the concern about democracy's future in Indonesia, but I don't see that it's caused by a lack of understanding by the people. The elite has not yet understood or even tried to understand, because they would be the biggest losers in a change to real democracy.

Judiciary is the most important pillar in a democracy as it serves as a control function for the government and parliament.

The cause for the violent acts is the absence of an independent, impartial and transparent judicial system. If a normal citizen has the chance to file suit against unlawful administrative acts by officials, he does not need to resort to violence. How can a government violate the Constitution on purpose without consequences (the 20 percent education budget).

If the government cannot provide sufficient funds, they have to call on the majority to change the Constitution. Otherwise, they have to meet the demand or be forced to do so by the Supreme Court. How can the new Governor of Jakarta say publicly on the topic of evicting squatters: " ... even if it is against human rights, we will do it."
ULRICH KOEHLER
Jakarta

Print stuff by non-Muslims Feb. 18 p. 6

I am a Muslim living in a predominantly Christian society. I regularly write letters to U.S. newspapers and contribute articles on my faith and perspective. I find Muhammad Atif's letter shocking. It represents a type of Islam and religious philosophy that no longer has any place in this world. We are one family. We are here to learn how to love. I don't know what he is here for.
AGUNG ALIT
Los Angeles

Atif, in this world everybody has the freedom to express their meaning even in a Muslim country like Indonesia. Already too many Indonesians are thinking the whole world has to be adapted to them where, in fact, the contrary is true.

Indonesians have to adapt themselves to the rest of the world if they want to be a part of it. If not, stay poor!
A.P.H. MULDERS
Helden, Holland

Please start working on your intolerance. It's your opinions and hatred of non-Muslims that (just like bin Laden and the violent Palestinians) only affirm, once again, what the west knows as Islamofascism, Islamic bigotry and Islamic apartheid.
ALI
Jakarta