Letter: Javanese culture in our politics

I enjoyed the well-expressed comments on our politics, (“Indonesian politics is annoying, Oct. 20) by Rizal Sukma of Jakarta.

The government (or rather its politicians) indeed wastes an inordinate amount of time worrying about criticism and its image. I perceive this as a product of Javanese culture where “elders” are not criticized and the image of a ruler is not tarnished.

Extremes become acceptable by necessity and as a last resort to vent pent up disagreement. The politics of our society, by necessity of numbers, is strongly influenced by Javanese culture; its mores and customs.

This cultural strait-jacket does not allow initiative and free-thinking other than that of the ruler; in this case, our President. Countries with well developed economies, to which Indonesia apparently aspires, have attained this by allowing (economic) initiatives, creativity and political free-thinking.

(These changes can be clearly seen in China, although its communist government still grapples with the speed of change; it is unable to slow the tide of market economics and social change).

Perhaps that is what our President is worried about because these extremes cannot be controlled as criticism will, for sure, turn into violence; “shoot-to-kill” becomes reality and free-thinking people die.
Is this the system our elected representatives aspire to? I am sure their constituents do not!

Raja Rote
Baa, East Nusa Tenggara