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Weakened opposition leads to democratic regression, says experts
A strong opposition serves as a vital element for the establishment of a transparent, accountable and clean government, and that its absence may cause a setback in Indonesia’s democracy.
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Seeking support: Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto (third left) is pictured on Dec. 27, 2017 with Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) chairman Sohibul Iman (second right) and PKS secretary-general Mustafa Kamal (right). Gerindra deputy chairperson Rachmawati Soekarnoputri (left) and former Indonesian Military commander Gen. (ret) Djoko Santoso (second left) also appear in the photograph. (Antara/Puspa Perwitasari)
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olitical experts have warned against the consequences of having a weakened opposition after President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo invited opposition leader Prabowo Subianto to join his administration.
They say a strong opposition serves as a vital element for the establishment of a transparent, accountable and clean government, and that its absence may cause a setback in the country’s democracy.
In a democracy, a strong opposition system is essential, said Ward Berenschot, a KITLV senior researcher studying contemporary politics in Indonesia and India. A strong opposition, he argued, could discipline power institutions and force power elites to work hard and avoid failure. “With criticism, power holders will always be forced to improve what they have done by working a lot harder,” he said.
The Asian politics and economy lecturer at Leiden University and the University of Amsterdam further explained a strong opposition was important because it could support policy-making.
“A strong opposition can contribute to much better policy-making,” said Berenschot who spoke at the release of the report Menyelamatkan Demokrasi (Rescuing Democracy) via a teleconference from Amsterdam on Saturday.
The report was based on research about state involvement in widespread violence and conflicts in Indonesia that was conducted by the Institute of Research, Education and Information of Social and Economic Affairs (LP3ES) and sponsored by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
It provides critical input over democratic distortions and reviews legal practices in Indonesia, media cooptation by elites, as well as democratic problems in a capitalist system that have caused social gaps and strengthened the existence of oligarchy.
