Senin, 08 Desember 2014

Disputes in democracy

                                              Disputes in democracy

Hyginus Hardoyo ;   Senior managing editor of The Jakarta Post
JAKARTA POST, 07 Desember 2014

                                                                                                                       


Soon after the establishment of a presidium to save the rift-plagued Golkar Party, another presidium emerged in Jakarta to “save” the capital from an anti-Islam force.

The hard-line Islam Defenders Front (FPI), with support from the Jakarta Community Movement (GMJ), founded the so-called Jakarta Savior Presidium on Monday to oppose Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who was installed as the capital’s legitimate leader last month.

The FPI “installed” Fahrurozi Ishak, the coordinator of GMJ, as its choice for Jakarta governor during its rally outside City Hall. The protesters claimed Ahok no longer had the authority to govern the capital.

It was the latest move against Ahok, a Christian of Chinese descent, who succeeded Joko “Jokowi” Widodo after the latter assumed the presidency in October.

The protesters said they hated Ahok because of his outspoken manner, arrogance and insensitivity toward ethnicity, religion and race. They suspected that Ahok would promote “Christianization” in Muslim-majority Jakarta.

Ahok played down the FPI’s move, which has in fact endangered Indonesia’s nature as a pluralistic nation. Previously, Ahok recommended the dissolution of the group to the Home Ministry for allegedly violating the Constitution.

While the noisy FPI will unlikely affect the politics of Jakarta, the presidium formed by a group of Golkar politicians who oppose incumbent chairman Aburizal Bakrie may determine the future of the country’s second-largest party and hence the landscape of national politics.

The presidium was founded by senior party figures who accused Aburizal of maneuvering to expedite the party congress only to prevent his contenders from ousting him.

The rift between the two camps turned physical as a clash broke out between members of Golkar’s youth wing at the party’s headquarters in West Jakarta prior to the congress in Bali.

Despite the opposition, the congress went ahead untroubled. As expected, Aburizal was reelected.

Aside from reelecting Aburizal, the congress also dismissed at least 15 supporters of the presidium to save the party, which is led by deputy chairman Agung Laksono. Among them are Priyo Budi Santoso, Agun Gunandjar, Yorrys Reweyai and Agung.

The dismissal was announced after mounting demands for the congress to take action against the party’s “delinquent” members, who according to Aburizal had demanded something the party could not provide.

The congress also mandated that Golkar fight it out to reject the government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on regional elections, which reinstated the direct elections of regional leaders.

Golkar will lead the Red-and-White Coalition, which controls the majority of seats in the House of Representatives, to realize this goal.

Instead of healing Golkar’s wounds following double defeats in this year’s national elections, the Bali congress has escalated internal conflict within the party. The presidium to save Golkar is now preparing its own version of a party congress in Jakarta in January next year by inviting all party members, including those taking part in the Bali congress.

Agung confirmed that invitation letters would be sent to all party members.

“Please, chairmen of provincial and district chapters from across Indonesia, participate in the next congress in January,” he said.

Agung said the party members had no reason to be afraid of threats and intimidation from various circles that would sabotage the meeting. The presidium team, he added, would ensure the safety of each participant. He said the congress would be held democratically without any pressure.

The presidium, he said, would elect a young and qualified leader, with proven dedication and achievements and a clean track record. In other words, the congress is expected to elect a new, strong leader who will be able to move the party forward.

After being criticized for merely building his image through his maritime vision, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo fulfilled his promise to sink foreign vessels captured for poaching in Indonesia’s waters. At least three fishing ships were sunk in Anambas waters, Riau Islands province, on Friday.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno said on Wednesday that the tough measure was expected to show the government’s determination to fight rampant illegal fishing, which had been left unaddressed by previous governments.

Tedjo said the stern action would not disrupt ties with neighboring countries from which the captured vessels originated, because all actions would be conducted in line with existing laws.

Data shows that Indonesia loses around Rp 300 trillion (US$24 billion) annually from illegal fishing and at least 5,400 illegal ships are believed to operate in Indonesian waters due to the absence of actions aimed at driving them away.

The plan received support from various quarters, including Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

“We hope the government is strict. Don’t let conglomerates, let alone foreign conglomerates, enjoy the country’s wealth themselves. There are still many poor people in the country,” NU chairman Said Aqil Siradj said.

Law No. 45/2009 justifies the sinking or burning down of foreign ships illegally fishing in Indonesian waters.

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