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Indonesians have shown that the political process is no longer just in the hands of the elite.

In line with this year'€™s theme, nothing could serve as a better indicator of positive public participation in the democratic process than how the Indonesian people have channeled their discontent with the Pilkada Law.

Once considered taboo for public discussion, today we can see Indonesians from all levels of society actively engaged in discussions on the country'€™s political condition. Do not get this wrong, it will not happen overnight just because of the new Pilkada Law.

Ever since the fall of the New Order, Indonesians have been learning to accept dialogue and differences in the country'€™s democratic environment. This is also where the spirit of the BDF traces back '€” Indonesian democracy based on dialogue and learning.

This vibrant dialogue by the people shows that Indonesian democracy has become rooted deeply in our society. Temporarily, the political elite might have the upper hand with the new Pilkada Law. Nonetheless, the people are now fighting back for their political rights.

From a simple tweet of disappointment to Indonesians abroad carrying signs in protest rallies around the world from Paris to Melbourne. From an everyday chat in a simple warung to activists'€™ pooling of ID card copies during Jakarta'€™s Car Free Day on Sept. 28, followed by the plan of some civil society organizations to challenge the law in the Constitutional Court. Most importantly, Indonesians are vocally voicing their discontent with the new Pilkada Law in the most peaceful and constitutional way.

It took complete darkness for us to realize the light of a candle, and from this democratic step back, we realize how far we have departed from where we were in 1998.

Skeptics might say that such movements are not enough to tackle the Pilkada Law. But today, strong public pressure is enough to push the political elite to issue populist policies to answer the demands of the people. Whether it is purely for the good of the people or for the politicians'€™ image, public opinion can bring changes to Indonesian politics.

Indonesians have shown that the political process is no longer just in the hands of the elite. It is in
theirs too.

The Indonesian democracy-learning process has not ended yet. And, through BDF, we can share our experience that keeping public participation alive is the key to democracy. However unlikely the condition is for a democracy to flourish, once it comes from the people and once the people actively participate, democracy will continue blossoming.

It is a no-brainer to say that the new Pilkada Law is a major setback for Indonesian democracy. However, we have to respect that democracy is a lifelong learning process and with the active participation of the Indonesian people, this too shall pass.

The most valuable lesson in peace and democracy is that it is rooted deeply within the people, and in line with the spirit of the BDF, democracy is a learning process for the people, and from our failures, we learn. Active public participation to take back political rights serves as a lesson in peace and democracy and this process must be respected. The lesson has not yet ended for Indonesians, neither has what the BDF can give to the world.

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The writer currently works in the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. The views expressed are his own.

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