Ervana Trikarinaputri, Devy Ernis, Jakarta – A number of '98 activists gathered at the JS Luwansa Hotel in South Jakarta on Wednesday May 21 for a cross-generation activist workshop titled "From political democracy to the transformation of economic democracy".
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Masinton Pasaribu, Rocky Gerung and a number of 98 activists in the ranks of the Red and White Cabinet attended to commemorate 27 years of reformasi – the political reform process that began in 1998.
The activists that took part in the event included Human Rights Minister Mugiyanto, Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono, Deputy Minister for Labour Immanuel Ebenezer, Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza and Deputy Presidential Chief of Staff Muhammad Qodari.
Then there was Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) politician Habiburokhman, Riza Patria, Rusly Haris Moti, Syahganda Nainggolan, Andrianto Andri, Hariman Siregar and East Nusa Tenggara Governor Melkiades Laka Lena. Then, Jakarta State University sociologist Robertus Robet and former PT Kliring Berjangka Indonesia (KBI) Commissioner Wahab Talaohu.
Meanwhile, the speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) and chairperson of the PDI-P's Central Leadership Board (DPP), Puan Maharani, and DPR Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco, who is also the daily chairperson of the Gerindra Party's DPP, who were scheduled to appear as a keynote speakers, cancelled their attendance at the event.
Discussion coordinator Rusly Haris Moti said that the dialogue held by the activists at the event is a follow-up effort to continue to advance democracy and not stop just at political democracy.
According to Moti, the political democracy that has now been achieved must be maintained as capital in building and transforming it into economic democracy. "We want our democracy to provide freedom of access to sources of the country's wealth so that it can be enjoyed by all Indonesian people", said Moti in opening the event.
So what then, were the views of the activists present? The following is a summary.
Cabinet reshuffle
Academic Rocky Gerung encouraged President Prabowo Subianto to shake up or reshuffle the cabinet. He believes that Prabowo's cabinet should be filled by new figures. "There must be a reshuffle, fill it with new energy", said Rocky during the discussion.
He argued that the budget efficiency policy imposed by Prabowo throughout the ministries is causing internal discomfort within the cabinet. This discomfort, he said, was because ministers cannot manoeuvre to utilise funds from the state budget (APBN) for personal or group interests.
"In principle, it's impossible for the ordinary people to force a minister to leave the cabinet. Because they will survive, there are capital interests they must achieve", said Rocky.
Responding to Gerung's proposal, Gerindra Deputy Chairperson Habiburokhman stated that he appreciated Gerung's statement as a form of freedom of expression as was fought before reformasi.
However, he continued, the government run by Prabowo has not been in office long enough for a reshuffle. He was worried that a premature shakeup of the cabinet would disrupt the current administration.
Prabowo has sixth sense
On the same occasion, Habiburokhman also joked that Prabowo has an advantage or a sixth sense that most humans did not have. The sixth sense in question, he explained, gives Prabowo knowledge about people who tried to betray him.
"Pak [Mr] Prabowo has a sixth sense. As soon as there are tricksters, he knows immediately", Habiburokhman said at the event.
Therefore, he continued, never try to betray Prabowo. Because, the former commander of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus) is not a figure who can be easily be lied to. "Want to lie to Pak Prabowo, it's difficult, boss!", said the DPR Commission III chairperson.
Concern for the environment
Sociologist Robertus Robet said the transformation of political democracy towards economic democracy will only be achieved if concern for the environment is implemented thoroughly.
According to the human rights activists, ecology is important in realising this democratic transformation process. "If this is not achieved, of course all of these efforts will amount to nil", said Robet.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Aktivis 98 Peringati 27 Tahun Reformasi, Bahas Reshuffle Kabinet hingga Prabowo Punya Indra Keenam".]