Reinstalling of Democracy: A Case in Indonesia

During post New Order, Indonesia has hold general election in three times. Now we have a democracy system for noble goals, people prosperity. It means, there is a good correlation between democracy and prosperity.

Creating a state democracy requires three steps. Firstly, collapse of authoritarianism regime. The decline of Soeharto as second president of Indonesia who led during 32 years shows the success for this step. Secondly, transitional process of democracy. It characterized with three phenomena, i.e. the emergence of civil liberties, the institutionalized democracy, and the effective governance to implement people prosperity. Thirdly, consolidated and organized democracy. This alternative system must create the good public for Indonesian societies.

The transitional process of democracy has wide impact for the dynamic of Indonesia politics. Firstly, the emergence of various Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). The momentum of May 1998 gives wide liberties that cause the birthing of several NGOs and social communities in local areas. We can found it base on religion, ethnic, and social class (farmer, businessman, scholar, etc). Secondly, the increasing of people participation in the political activities. It can be demonstrated with the enthusiastic of the people in general election 2009. Everyone can register themselves as legislative candidates. Everybody has equal vote. A president has one vote and a farmer also has one vote. Thirdly, good governance. It can be shown with the loosing of the corruption culture as well as all crimes in various patterns.

The prime agendas during transitional democracy era are decentralization issues. It must conducted by all people. The political power will separate in various local governments. According to some political scientists, if we conduct these steps, the democracy will run very well.

In fact, the real struggle always not suitable with the dream. The collapse of Soeharto only causes the presidential rotation. Meanwhile, the authoritarianism system still exists as well all actors and Soeharto’s cronies. They seek alternative ways and even establish a new political party as well involve as leaders in government cabinets.

Recently, democracy was shown its declines. The elites who led during New Order regime create a new party as a proxy for their interests. In addition, we know that some parties give wide opportunities to elite’s family to involve as one of important functionaries. Even when they were registered themselves as a legislative or executive candidate, almost they will reach a victory in every election.

We can also see the NGO’s roles which are only as government under bow organizations. They just hold the government programs and don’t have a great idea. This fact shows that NGOs are a servant for the king. There is no idealism values in young generations thought.

The explanation above emphasizes that Indonesian democracy only half-heart. The local government and NGO’s still require the central government decrees. Even the Soeharto cronies still lead in several positions in this country. Therefore, now we still exist in the collapse of New Order regime. The consolidated democracy is long goals for this country.

Now, our real democracy like installing windows program in the computer which is not finishes yet completely. There are uncompleted components. Therefore, we must re-install our “democracy driver” and change with the new driver. The question is how to find a good democracy driver for better results.

Firstly, don’t look for “illegal democracy driver”. We must formulate a pure Indonesia democracy. We only use the theory and application of western democracy as a prime guidance. Secondly, the installation process must conducted by experts. The Indonesian elites must be free from various viruses which is cause the failure of democracy installation. Thirdly, the government elites must learn on previous history. We must learn on the history of collapse of two regimes i.e. Old Order and New Order.

We hope, the general election 2009 gives a breakthrough for democracy growth. Every voter seriously must choose them based on integrity and capability. We don’t select leaders who have bad track records in the past, particularly who have criminal cases. The anti-virus for this case is its voter themselves. Finally, we must modernize our information on both legislative and executive candidates. The goals of this are establishment of people prosperity.

Ridho Al-Hamdi, MA