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The best show of people power since May 1998
KPK deputies Bibit and Chandra were released from detention
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PK deputies Bibit and Chandra were released from detention. National Police chief of detectives Susno Duadji is likely to be removed. Could the National Police chief and Attorney General be next in a debacle of misconduct and cover-ups?
In dramatic developments witnessed by millions on live television, it is the Indonesian version of Watergate. From a small crime by clumsy amateurs, the cover-up became worse than the crime and leads to collapse – and rise of reformers, we hope.
Bad elements in the National Police staged a vendetta against the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission), cynically flaunting the power they were used to holding in the old days. The bad police overplayed their strength by foolishly trying to “criminalize” top KPK officials, regarded by many as a step to dislodge the entire anti-corruption agency.
The public reacted admirably in a display of people power, using Facebook as a mobilizing tool, and coached by top media activist Bambang Harymurti. The President kept his cool, while keeping a firm hold on the process. His speech last Friday was another display of courage since the presidential campaign.
Following the nomination of Boediono, Yudhoyono’s clear stand against terrorism in the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott bombings, and with the appointment of his Cabinet, Yudhoyono is showing himself to be a leader who knows where the goal is (to use a football metaphor).
His steadfast refusal to intervene in the legal process, while clearly stating his support for the KPK, gave the public movement strong cover and achieved reform with minimal damage to legal and institutional frameworks.
This was the best display of people power since the 1998 student movement escorted Indonesia into the age of reform. More significantly at the time, the May 1998 people power movement went against the system and forced Soeharto to resign. Whereas the 2009 people power movement seems to be defending the system and is likely to strengthen SBY for his five-year term.
That’s the way it is. The wee hours of the morning brought television drama as ManUtd were down against CSKA in the Champions League.
Last night, hours of live TV fascinated millions of watchers. A clumsy plot by bad elements of the police was clinically dissected in a tape recorder hearing made available to the public through the relentless morality of Constitutional Court chief Mahfud MD. Clearly, Mahfud is our man of the year.
This is indeed Indonesia’s Watergate. Now the attorney general and National Police chief must resign or the damage will affect the nation. Come on Pak Hendarman and Pak Hendarto, this is your chance to do the right thing.
ManUtd scraped through 3-3 in injury time. CSKA lost their lead. We hope our people power doesn’t lose its lead.
The writer (www.perspektif.net) is a public relations consultant with InterMatrix Communications.
