[The following is a translation of an interview with Nur Hikmah the General Secretary of the National Committee for Democratic Struggle (Komite Nasional Perjuangan Demokrasi, KNPD)]

Not long ago, KNPD held a conference at the offices of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) in Jakarta. The conference was attended by a number of figures such as Sukmawati Soekarnoputri, HJ Princen, Supomo (ex-minister of labour), Dr. Ciptaning (deputy chair of the pro-Megawati Indonesian Democratic Party Tangerang branch) along with Wartono Karyo Utomo, father of People's Democratic Party chair, Budiman Sudjatmiko.

During this conference KNPD called on leaders of social organisations and pro-democracy figures to form a Council for the for Salvation of the People's Sovereignty (Dewan Penyelamat Kedaulatan Rakyat). KNPD also produced 100 thousand leaflets which were given to them which were distributed to gather the support of the people.

What follows is an interview with Nur Hikmah about this initiative.

Question: What is this Council for the Salvation of the People's Sovereignty?

Answer: The name Council for the for Salvation of the People's Sovereignty (DPKR), was suggested by KNPD. Basically, KNPD called on all pro-democratic political leaders and well known figures to sit at the same table to take over from the government in order to handle the economic crisis which is becoming ever more critical. The council will seek solutions to resolve the crisis in Indonesia. Because of this, the council must obtain the people's trust.

Question: You mean that [the people] no longer trust the government?

Answer: The people's trust in the government has already disappeared. This has been proven by the government statements which are no longer heeded by the people. The government asks the people not to panic, but they continue to panic. This means that the people no longer trust the government, yes? This means that their is a crisis of trust. The government has already admitted this, that there is a crisis of trust.

Nah, why did this crisis of trust emerge? Because the government has shown that it cannot handle the situation. A number of steps were taken to increase the value of the Rupiah, but its value continued to fall. Its impact, the economic crisis became even worse, people's lives became even more miserable: many [workers] have been sacked, prices have increased, essential goods have become even more scares, and the like.

Nah, because of this crisis of trust, these political leaders must appear to have the people's trust. If they no longer believe in the government, we must make the people believe in these political leaders. In order to get their trust, these political leaders must be united and take over from the government in handling the crisis. These leaders know, that the pro-democracy movement is rich with figures who are trusted by the people such as Amin Rais, Gus Dur, Megawati, Sukmawati, Sri Bintang, Ali Sadikin, Budiman Sudjatmiko, Muchtar Pakpahan, Gunawan Muhammad, Deliar Noer, Romo Sandyawan (1) and scores of others. Because of this, we call on them to be united, as soon as possible, so that the people can quickly realise that they have something they can rely on. Right now the people are in a state of panic, because they no longer believe in the government but pro-democratic figures remain silent.

Question: Which figures were called on by KNPD to unite?

Answer: 77 names and organisations, including those which I have already mentioned. Although is still open to anyone to suggest others. Yesterday additional names appeared. This is even better. What is clear, is that essentially, these figures and organisations must reflect a representation of the different parts of the nation; covering all religious figures, political parties, social organisations, student organisation, intellectuals, artists, professionals, local leaders and the like.

Question: Is it possible that they can be united at one table? Is it not true that within the [different] pro-democracy groups – we have to admit this – sometimes there are differences?

Answer: What is clear is that this is what the [current] situation demands. The situation is becoming worse and worse, all those who are for democracy must work together to recapture the trust of the people. If there are differences, these must be put aside. The question of democracy is of joint concern, because of this it must be prioritised.

Question: But aren't there those who feel they are more important, feel that they have more supporters, so that it is not natural to work together with small organisations or figures who are less popular, and so on?

Answer: Problems like this are not relevant in a situation like this. In struggling for democracy, all well know figures or their organisations must work together with other groups. It is not possible to struggle alone. History has proved this, that when ever there has been [real] change, it is certain that those it involved many groups and many figures. There is no such thing as a "one man show"!

Question: But we know that among the different pro-democratic groups there are a variety of lines, there are those who are radical and those who are moderate. What about this [problem]?

Answer: I think that those who are moderate and those who are radical have a place for themselves in the struggle. When we have already agreed to sit at the same table, we must jointly [agree to] firmly hold on to the platform that we choose. So those who are radical and those who are moderate may not pressure each other, all will be limited by the platform which we will determine jointly.

Question: Does this have a relationship with the succession?

Answer: Everyone is now already certain, that the succession has already become a necessity. Whether it be Amin Rais or Megawati, they have said openly that the succession must happen. So it is clear, this council's formation is in the framework of facilitating the succession in a democratic manner.

Question: Earlier you said that this council will get the trust of the people, what does this mean?

Answer: It means, this council must get the people to believe [in them]. The people no longer believe in the government, so then who else can people trust? Should we leave them to panic without someone to lead them? Because of this, we must encourage the people to believe in this council.

Question: How will this be done?

Answer: We must communicate with the people, with the least expensive and simplest kind of media. One way is through

leaflets. So the council needs to produce leaflets which contain calls to the people. As well as this it must issue press releases, speeches, hold open discussions and so on. In this way the people can be convinced, that the council is truly concerned with their fortunes. Because of this, an effort must be made so that the membership of the council is as broad and plural as possible. The more serious and plural the membership of the council, the more groups will feel they are represented. It is from this that the trust will emerge.

Question: Isn't this the same as Amin Rais' call that he is ready to sit at one table with Gus Dur and Megawati?

Question: Amin Rais' call that he is ready to work together with Gus Dur and Megawati is a very great step foward. Because of this we must support it so it really does becomes a reality. Amin Rais' call however, has a slight error. Amin Rais should have said he was ready to sit at one table with Gus Dur, with Megawati, and all figures from pro-democracy groups, regardless of whether they are well known or not, regardless of their religious or racial background. Basically, to sit at the same table with anyone.

Question: What is the position of the council toward the suggestion that their is a need for national dialogue with the government?

Answer: What attitude the council, which has the right to make such decisions [takes on this], is up to the members of the council. The formation of the council has only just begun, it has yet to be realised. So I do not have the right to answer the question.

Question: And KNPD's attitude?

Answer: We believe that this kind of dialogue is artificial. There is no concrete action to follow up such a dialogue. The place for such representative dialogue is the MPR (2), but an MPR which is chosen in a manner which is truly democratic and free. Not the MPR which exists at the moment. KNPD does not believe that such a dialogue will be effective and free from pressure and manipulation by the government.

Translators notes:

Amin Rais: Head of the Islamic mass organisation Muhammadiyah. Gus Dur: head of the Islamic mass organisation Nahdatul Ulama: Megawati [Sukarnoputri]: Popularly elected chair of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) ousted by the regime in June 1996. Sukmawati: Megawati's younger sister and leader of the Marhaen People's Movement. Sri Bintang [Pamungkas]: Chair of the Indonesian United Democratic Party (PUDI) who is currently being tried for subversion. Ali Sadikin: a leading figure from the dissident group Petition of 50. Budiman Sudjatmiko: chair of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) who was sentenced to 15 years jail for subversion in 1997. Muchtar Pakpahan: chair of the independent trade union Indonesian Trade Union for Prosperity (SBSI) who is currently on trial for subversion. Gunawan Muhammad: previously editor-in-chief of the magazine Tempo which was banned in 1994; in 1996 he was involved in establishing the Independent Election Monitoring Group (KIPP). Deliar Noer: a political analyst and well known opposition figure. Romo Sandyawan: currently on trial for harboring Budiman Sudjatmiko and another PRD activist after the July 27, 1996 crackdown.

ibid. "Form a council of political leaders to safeguard the sovereignty of the people!"