Jakarta – Citing the 1979 Iranian Revolution as a model for change, a group of opposition politicians has launched a national movement to counter what it believes is increasing foreign influence in national politics.
The newly created Indonesian Nationalist Alliance said Friday that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration had capitulated to the will of foreign powers, creating policies that had caused untold suffering to the nation's poor.
"We have seen how disastrous the effects have been of the policy to hike fuel prices. This is the result of adhering to a school of thought that allows market mechanisms to set fuel prices," former chairman of the National Development Planning Board Kwiek Kian Gie said.
Kwiek was accompanied by former Indonesian Military chief Gen. (ret.) Wiranto and Sugeng Sarjadi Syndicate economics analyst Sukardi Rinakit.
Kwiek said the nation's indebtedness to international financial institutions such as the World Bank put the country's sovereignty at risk. "However, the policy of always looking for foreign loans and aid is maintained just to keep our state budget sound," Kwiek said.
A senior politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Kwiek said the first task of the new organization would be to expose the many bad policy decisions made by the government.
"We will consistently present our views to counter the conventional wisdom preached by the government, and if that helps foment a movement that ends in a revolution, then that is good," Kwiek said.
He said the 1979 Iranian Revolution could be "a model" for the nation. However, the groups' leaders were vague about what policies they would put forward to counter the government's.
"The movement was only declared today. Details about our program will soon follow. Our team of experts is still discussing it," Wiranto said.
Politicians Permadi and Aria Bima – both of the PDI-P – economists Sri Eddy Swasono and Revrisond Baswir and visual artist Hardi have joined the alliance.
Kwiek and Wiranto earlier joined forces with former People's Consultative Assembly chairman Amien Rais and former House of Representatives speaker Akbar Tandjung to oppose the government's decision to grant US energy giant ExxonMobil management of the Cepu oil block.