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JAKARTA
POST, 04 Juli 2013
Descending
down a sandy landscape, we knew immediately that our Sunday evening was going
to be like no other. From our window seat, we saw people stretching far along
the October Bridge toward Tahrir Square, like ants marching for an abandoned
piece of candy.
That was precisely June 30, which many predicted to be the beginning of the second wave of revolution against President Mohamed Mursi, Egypt’s newest president since the Arab Spring revolution that toppled president Mubarak’s authoritarian regime last year.
Cairo International Airport never seemed so empty. And evidently, as we drove toward the city, we sensed that something monumental was happening. The few cars and motorcycles that passed looked cautious and the people on street corners were simply disinterested in our presence. In other areas, there were people jumping, chanting and waving the red, white and black flag under the street lights. Though, we couldn’t tell if they were in support or against the current regime.
Some streets were blocked but our driver swerved around the backstreets to get us into the heart of the city. The ambience was vibrant. People were excited to be able to express their political views freely.
As night approached, trumpets were blown, drums rolled and fireworks permeated our hotel walls. Despite the media depiction, the massive Egyptian demonstration felt more like a New Year celebration in our part of the world.
Like Indonesians who endured over 14 years of reformasi, the Egyptians’ experience seemed rather typical: the noise of the crowd is reminiscent of the beginnings of our own democratic process.
Demonstrations are today a daily occurrence in Indonesia. Now, it is the Egyptians who are enthusiastically parading their democracy regardless of the victims that have fallen foul of the events of the last few days. Then again, like many aspiring democracies, periods of intense reconciliation are part of the package.
Certainly, the festive-like demonstrations are not without consequences. Hotel rooms are empty, local markets are less crowded and business is slow. As described by our local guide: “The regime doesn’t care about us, only the Muslim Brotherhood”, with a slight stint of protest toward the administration’s public policies neglecting the voices of others. It is unclear whether the slumping economy is due to the protests or simply a reflection of the government’s failure to revamp the economy.
There is not a better time to be in Cairo and witness the process of democratization. Dialogue with Egypt led to the consensus that Indonesia is the ideal model for democratic transition.
At a discussion at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies we expressed the need for both countries to share their experiences and best practices so as to not repeat the same mistakes. Certainly, no states are identical. But the root causes of problems we face may be similar.
In the case of Egypt and Indonesia, there is an imbalanced concept of development by which economic growth is more heavily weighed than progress in politics. That is why it is essential we stress to Egypt to not neglect the political aspects of their nation building process. What is even more appalling from our discussions with Egyptian intellectuals and media actors was the acknowledgement of the Indonesian values of inclusiveness that allows channels for consensus. This, so they claim, was missing in Egypt.
The Egyptian Armed Forces presented its own roadmap for the country if ongoing political fighting between the president and his opposition is unresolved.
The military reiterated its call to meet the demands of the people and gave everyone a deadline to shoulder the burden of the historic circumstances the country currently faces. The Army will not tolerate anyone doing less than what is necessary.
Despite the demand, the army pledged to maintain its previous rhetoric that it will not become a political actor. Ministers are gradually resigning by the hour. It is only a matter of time until all follow suit.
The people on the streets of Cairo are continuing to build up in numbers and in force. Women, children, men and elders are together hand-in-hand to set a new course in the history of their nation.
No matter the outcome, the process of democratization today will continue to reach up to new dynamics. There is always something new to share with one another. In a relatively short period of time, what Egypt has shown the world is the true power of the people determining their rightful future in their rightful hands. ●
That was precisely June 30, which many predicted to be the beginning of the second wave of revolution against President Mohamed Mursi, Egypt’s newest president since the Arab Spring revolution that toppled president Mubarak’s authoritarian regime last year.
Cairo International Airport never seemed so empty. And evidently, as we drove toward the city, we sensed that something monumental was happening. The few cars and motorcycles that passed looked cautious and the people on street corners were simply disinterested in our presence. In other areas, there were people jumping, chanting and waving the red, white and black flag under the street lights. Though, we couldn’t tell if they were in support or against the current regime.
Some streets were blocked but our driver swerved around the backstreets to get us into the heart of the city. The ambience was vibrant. People were excited to be able to express their political views freely.
As night approached, trumpets were blown, drums rolled and fireworks permeated our hotel walls. Despite the media depiction, the massive Egyptian demonstration felt more like a New Year celebration in our part of the world.
Like Indonesians who endured over 14 years of reformasi, the Egyptians’ experience seemed rather typical: the noise of the crowd is reminiscent of the beginnings of our own democratic process.
Demonstrations are today a daily occurrence in Indonesia. Now, it is the Egyptians who are enthusiastically parading their democracy regardless of the victims that have fallen foul of the events of the last few days. Then again, like many aspiring democracies, periods of intense reconciliation are part of the package.
Certainly, the festive-like demonstrations are not without consequences. Hotel rooms are empty, local markets are less crowded and business is slow. As described by our local guide: “The regime doesn’t care about us, only the Muslim Brotherhood”, with a slight stint of protest toward the administration’s public policies neglecting the voices of others. It is unclear whether the slumping economy is due to the protests or simply a reflection of the government’s failure to revamp the economy.
There is not a better time to be in Cairo and witness the process of democratization. Dialogue with Egypt led to the consensus that Indonesia is the ideal model for democratic transition.
At a discussion at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies we expressed the need for both countries to share their experiences and best practices so as to not repeat the same mistakes. Certainly, no states are identical. But the root causes of problems we face may be similar.
In the case of Egypt and Indonesia, there is an imbalanced concept of development by which economic growth is more heavily weighed than progress in politics. That is why it is essential we stress to Egypt to not neglect the political aspects of their nation building process. What is even more appalling from our discussions with Egyptian intellectuals and media actors was the acknowledgement of the Indonesian values of inclusiveness that allows channels for consensus. This, so they claim, was missing in Egypt.
The Egyptian Armed Forces presented its own roadmap for the country if ongoing political fighting between the president and his opposition is unresolved.
The military reiterated its call to meet the demands of the people and gave everyone a deadline to shoulder the burden of the historic circumstances the country currently faces. The Army will not tolerate anyone doing less than what is necessary.
Despite the demand, the army pledged to maintain its previous rhetoric that it will not become a political actor. Ministers are gradually resigning by the hour. It is only a matter of time until all follow suit.
The people on the streets of Cairo are continuing to build up in numbers and in force. Women, children, men and elders are together hand-in-hand to set a new course in the history of their nation.
No matter the outcome, the process of democratization today will continue to reach up to new dynamics. There is always something new to share with one another. In a relatively short period of time, what Egypt has shown the world is the true power of the people determining their rightful future in their rightful hands. ●
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