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Forum: PKS and Soeharto
Tue, 11/18/2008 10:13 AM | Reader's Forum
PKS ran out of creative ideas. We should learn from Obama’s campaign.
TANTO
Jakarta
Why is it hard to admit it was much better during Soeharto’s time. A lower unemployment rate, burgeoning economy, higher education rate, lower crime rate, strong military and there was nationalistic pride and also respect from neighboring countries.
Every subsequent president has eroded all those values and has been selling pieces of Indonesia to the highest bidder.
Sure, there was blatant corruption during the time under Soeharto, but at least things got done. People got fed, houses got built, children got education, roads got built, projects were completed for the better of the country and we didn’t have hardline Muslims doing what they feel like in the name of Allah.
Yes, Soeharto has many sins, but his accomplishments for this country are also many, so his accomplishments should be praised. He was a hero, he had to do what he did in order to give all of us the opportunity to complain about him now.
If individuals hate the past that built who we are now, then they should stop using their computers, stop using electricity, stop using clean water, stop wearing modern clothing created through mass production, stop using paper, pens, pencils, eating in restaurants, and stop enjoying all the modern comforts we enjoy and take for granted today.
DAVID K.
Jakarta
I think it’s obvious why we don’t want to name him a hero. Heroes are models for the younger generation to exemplify, and I don’t think that one of most corrupt men ever should be a model for anyone.
Okay, no court has confirmed he was corrupt, but it is everybody’s secret that he had been conducting fraudulent practices — so much so that he somewhat made them part of Indonesian culture.
I agree he indeed did a lot of things for the nation, but that’s clearly not enough to make him a hero, with such a bad reputation.
Naming him a hero or teacher of the nation is like conveying messages to the younger generation (perhaps the older, too?) that it’s OK to be corrupt, as long as you do something for the nation.
BENZ
Jakarta
Bombers’ bodies -- Nov. 09, Online
So now the murder of two hundred tourists has been avenged by the murder of three of the people responsible. When will we ever learn that one murder can not be compensated by another?
Apart from playing into the terrorist’s hands by making “martyrs” of them, what makes us think that killing them will achieve anything?
Why not let them spend the rest of their miserable lives rotting away on a prison island somewhere? By killing them we show that we are no better than they are. Murder is always wrong, be it sanctioned by terrorist ideology or by an elected government.
ALEX LESTER
Denpasar
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Karina Soemarwoto (not verified) — Sun, 11/23/2008 - 12:52am
The problem is that the Soeharto era represented much of how Indonesia became the victim of the Cold War. Its sovereignty was extremely invaded, which simply left a turmoil. For instance, an industrial development took place, but largely in sectors that were significant to Western interest. Indonesia itself was simply blinded to remain a third-world country. That does not serve as a better alternative to any point thereafter. It delayed the ability for Indonesia to prove its potential. It caused a long-term retrogression of which the effects are still experienced throughout generations even until today.
Sean Wayman (not verified) — Fri, 11/21/2008 - 6:36pm
Suharto was named by the UN as the world's most corrupt leader ever. He invaded East Timor without the permission of the UN. In fact 150 countries voted to condemn his actions. Why do so many Indonesians blame Bush for invading Iraq and then accept Suharto as a hero when he not only invaded another country but tried to steal it and incorporate it into Indonesia? 250,000 East Timorese died during Indonesia's bloody attempt to steal another nation. This is a truly shameful record.
During 1965-1966 it is estimated that 750,000 people were murdered whilst his army at best sat around and did nothing. He stole from charities for orphans, crushed Islamists, gave monopolies to his venal children and made the courts and government so corrupt that is still impossible to find justice even after his death. Great hero. Right up there with Hitler, Stalin and all the other blood-soaked 20th century tyrants.
Ireng (not verified) — Wed, 11/19/2008 - 12:07pm
I think the problem is not that Suharto as a man, but his idealism, management government. Suharto admitted to create successful economic growth, stability, national security, reduction of unemployment by creating jobs and the transmigration program, and the success of the other.
on the other Suharto regime is very hard to parties that have different ideology, democracy is not responsible, exaggerated defense against the conglomerates. This cause of democracy can not develop, people's creativity is hampered
Currently, the right time to adopt the rigor of Suharto, but not a dictator .. .
delvi (not verified) — Tue, 11/18/2008 - 9:41pm
Suharto has deified himself as Indonesia's Bapak Pembangunan (Development Father??). For that he is supposed to be eligible to be called as a hero. A national hero at that. Yes, we used to earned respect and admiration as one of the tiger of the Asian economic miracle and other praises from other countries. Yet, what has he built actually? Who has he developed? Who are benefited from the burgeoning economy during his long tenure? Come on David K, don't be blinded by the nostalgia. David, that luxury is only enjoy by the privileged few. Probably one of them is you (God only knows)that you are so swayed with the 'sweet memory' of the Suharto era. It's enough for us to live in a tiger's mouth for 32 years. I am just not ready to spend another years in a crocodile's mouth.
And for PKS. I have to credit them for their pragmatism. They are smart. They are the strongest proponent of that chauvinist and sexist porn bill. The bill which has made Golkar betray its nationalistic ideology just because they want to woo Muslim voters. For this cause, they've sacrificed their nationalistic supporters who go ballistic over this bill. For PKS, the bill will just strengthen their stronghold, the Muslim voters. Most importantly, the Suharto 'Bapak Bangsa' ads will get PKS bonus votes from that deceased former dictator's god fearing supporters (everybody knows Suharto's worshipers must be Golkar's supporters?. Despite its Islamic ideology, PKS can always argue that Suharto has done something to the nation regardless his bloody hands. (Indonesians seem to be the biggest apologist nation on earth).
So, Golkar is losing the war and PKS (at this moment) is gaining the point.
Moral of the story: it is apparent that in Indonesia political parties do not have to stick to certain ideology to woo voters. They are no more than brokers on the stock market which tend to act based on the trend in the market. No ideology, no identity. The danger is just look at what has befallen our country now. We are doomed with rulers who have no vision. A complete disappointment.
Ric (not verified) — Tue, 11/18/2008 - 12:39pm
With today's economic situation, what we need is not a democratic president, neither a republican.
Instead we need a dictator for Indonesia, like Mr Suharto.
Democracy is only for PURE educated people, especially when those education certificates are recognized by worldwide, not by Indonesia only. We all know though almost all Indonesians go to schools, high schools, or even universities. However their minds and mentalities are worse than a minor 6 year old kid, mentioning those who always go for demonstrations, knowing that the demonstrations are only a waste of time, and causing heavy traffic jam.
Basically, what is happening in Indonesia especially a terrible downfall of the rupiah, is caused by its own citizens. If only the riots were not to bring down Mr Suharto during 1998, today's US exchange rate would not be in a big mess. Nevertheless, during Mr Suharto's regiment, we dare to say there were less beggars or unemployed compared to today.
Tian (not verified) — Tue, 11/18/2008 - 10:51am
Yes, economically we were doing good, but then there's no more press freedom, the burgeoning of artistic creativity, and the fact that our bookstores are now filled with what considered to be some really, really sensitive materials during the Suharto regime. These are freedom that we start to take for granted today. It's democracy, my brother. The Islamists have the same rights to voice their opinion as the secularists, the Chinese now have a voice in society, what else? It's dynamic, and some are more rude than others, but hey, its better this way than none at all.
Yes, we had a thriving economic development during Suharto's regime, but it took less than one year of economic crisis to bring him down. This unequal, corrupt, and 'empty' economic development is Suharto's bargain for our silence to his brutal regime. And please check out the exact nominal wealth value that Suharto & family as well as a number of cronies & cukongs accumulated during the New Order era. If that does not make you angry, then either you don't know basic math or you don't have feelings left in your heart...