April 28, p. 7
Barack Obama has not confirmed when he’ll be visiting Indonesia, thus it is not too late to remind ourselves that Indonesia is interested in promoting liberal democracy alongside the United States.
It is good timing for Indonesia to end its ambiguity in world politics by supporting Obama’s cause. Especially with recent persecutions against minorities — LGBTQ, non-Muslim and Chinese-Indonesian — and the continued condonation of violent acts performed by Islamic-fascists, the Indonesian government needs to express repentance and utmost support toward minorities and its people. By the time Obama arrives in Indonesia, we should be prepared to present that we are ready to change.
Yes, change is the name of the game. To initiate change, we need to be aware of the people’s power in influencing policies assisted by external forces and be aware of the harmful and coercive effects of “quasi secular” or “pseudo theocracy” under the beautiful name of “Pancasila”.
First of all, Indonesia is (or isn’t?) a secular state, though Pancasila (Five Principles), the UUD 1945 Constitution and a myriad of laws and regulations clearly state that Indonesia is a country based on belief in God. One obvious example is the goal of national education according to Article 3 of the National Education Law No. (By Jennie S. Bev, San Francisco)
Your comments:
The idea to promote liberal democracy, just like Obama, will never happen in the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, and we don’t have to start overacting to follow the liberal type of democracy, which has started creating many serious problems in the largest capitalist society in the world.
Many people even believe that Obama is too liberal, which creates and breeds more extremism such as the Christian Militia in the state of Idaho and the growing of Tea Party movement across the United States who declares “we want our country back!” and “we don’t trust gangster government!”
And so what’s the difference between the Islamic extremists and the American Militia extremists like the KKK (the Klu Klux Klan)? I believe the best way for Indonesia is to strengthen the state ideology of Pancasila, based on the 1945 Constitution, and even enhance it for NKRI (the Unitary Republic of Indonesia) which is second to none in the world.
Tole Balak
Portland, Oregon
I think the writer is too theoretical and textbook-minded in defining democracy.
There’s no such uniformed practice of democracy in the real world. For democracy to be strong, it must be home-grown. No one-size-fits-all like a “Big Mac” menu.
The US democracy would not suit Indonesia and vice versa. One must understand the reasons why Islam was not made the state ideology, though it is the religion of the majority, and Javanese was not made the national language.
Why she only picks the first principle (sila) of Pancasila? All of the five are inseparable and mutually reinforcing.
And most disturbing is her conclusion that it was the reason for extremism. It made us lose our trust in her scientific thinking.
Sam
Australia
Great idea, but I don’t think it will ever happen. Actually, it is more likely to go the other way, what with Aceh and Tasikmalaya legislative councils wanting sharia law and the growing influence of Saudi Arabian thinking.
Unless the government takes concrete steps to confine religion to the private sector and to clamp down on the fanatical fringe groups, Indonesia will shortly be considered to be reverting to the Dark Ages.
Sheldon
Probolinggo
