Kennial Caroline Laia – The involvement of 'reformasi' activists in political parties and during last month's legislative elections has the potential to alter the country's political landscape. It might also give fresh impetus to established parties, often considered stale or linked to Suharto's New Order regime, analysts have suggested.
Adian Napitupulu is one of the activists who took to the streets in 1998 to topple Suharto. He told the Jakarta Globe that general disillusionment with the political situation in the country had forced him to become part of a political system he once loathed.
"In 2007, activists from 1998 gathered to discuss what steps needed to be taken to bring the reform agenda back on track," he said. "It's been 16 years since the downfall of Suharto, but we haven't seen any significant improvement. We decided we had to get involved in politics to try and get reform back on the agenda."
Adian later joined the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and successfully competed for a seat in Bogor district in West Java. He said he joined the PDI-P because he shared a common vision with the party.
"I believe in the principles adhered to by the PDI-P. Besides, from a historical point of view, the party adheres to values that I've been fighting for for years," he said.
Positive signs
Political analyst Andrinof A. Chaniago at the University of University welcomed the involvement of 1998 activists, saying it was a good thing that young people wanted to get involved in politics.
The decision to join politics, he added, countered suggestions that young people were apathetic about the corrupt political system. "They have the ability to rejuvenate politics, but only if they maintain their 'activist' characteristics and maintain their integrity," Andrinof said.
The academic said that the activists needed to stay true to their ideals that initially led them to the streets back in 1998 and not get seduced by the power and wealth that permeates the corridors of government.
A political analyst Ari Dwiyapana from the University of Gajah Mada shared the sentiment, saying involvement by activists could be a breath of fresh air in the nation's political sphere.
"Other activists have opted for a career outside politics, and joined non-governmental organizations. It's their choice and it's good to see they want to give something back to the country," he said.
Ari said that by joining a political party, activists can help its regeneration process by working within the political framework.
Maintaining characteristics
While the analysts agreed the activists could bring plenty to the political dialogue, they expressed doubts whether the idealistic youths of 1998 could stay true to their beliefs of transparency, democracy and human rights.
Andrinof said the environment they had to work in was the biggest obstacle. "They have to overcome the challenge. To succeed, they must employ the same spirit that inspired them all those years ago," he said.
"In politics, the temptation of status and money is great. As former activists, they have to fight this, they have to stay humble and focused on bringing change to the nation."
Adian said he was fully aware of the pitfalls the activists turned politicians faced in their new career with narrow political interests trumping idealism and policy.
"As far I am concerned, I believe only two other people have clean track records; Masinton Pasaribu [PDI-P South and Central Jakarta] and M Lutfie Iskandar from Golkar Party," he said. "When it comes to numbers, it's 3:557. We will probably lose, but most importantly is that we do our best. By continuously fighting, hopefully we will eventually win and hopefully encourage others to join us."
Andrinof of the University of Indonesia said there was no excuse for the younger generation to let corruption enter their desks, saying that their idealism should insulate them against deeds or actions that went against the public interest.
"It is not a win-lose game. By rejecting graft they are sending out a strong message. When there is a tug-of-war, they have to side with the electorate regardless of the risks," Andrinof said.
Ari of Gajah Mada University said when activists enter politics, it was not necessarily a sign that they would become part of the political machine. "We cannot simplify things. There are still many activists that have really fought for their constituents," he said.
He cited Budiman Sudjatmiko, a PDI-P legislator who he said was an example of a political figure that who has worked hard for his constituents. "Budiman has been actively building 'The Aspiration House of Budiman', a program aimed to accommodate people's aspirations. He is not pursuing political power," he said.
Budiman also chaired the House of Representatives special committee, which deliberated a village law that will take into effect in 2015 after the new government takes office.
Ari remarked that many legislators joined politics for personal power, prestige and wealth and did not care about their constituents or the programs they promised during their campaigns.
"To know how strong a legislator's commitment is, you can see from how they keep their promises to their constituents and if they still keep in touch with them. If they don't, then they have become part of the political elite," he said.
Changed orientation
Despite lauding the 1998 activists' decision to enter politics as a positive sign, analysts also questioned the idealism of activists who joined a political party chaired by a person with questionable human rights record.
Desmond Junaidi Mahesa and Pius Lustrilanang, two reform activists who were kidnapped during the turbulent months of 1998, surprised many when they elected to join the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), run by Prabowo Subianto. The former special forces general is alleged to have played an active role in kidnappings and disappearances in 1998.
Andrinof said every activist had the right to join any party that suited them but if they were to associate themselves with people with human rights question marks they had a duty to explain themselves to the electorate.
"When activists enter politics, they bring their idealism and youthful optimism with them. Some are genuinely clean, but there are some who have acquired a lust for power and are ready to overlook their past beliefs and the past actions of influential figures within the party organization," Ari added.
Desmond did not return Jakarta Globe's phone call to set the day for an interview after he initially agreed to meet, while Pius did not return the Jakarta Globe's calls.
"The last time I talked to Desmond, I told him he could join Gerindra if he wanted to but that he should continue to fight for what had inspired him all those years ago. Knowing that he has now changed... I don't really know what happened to him," Andrinof said.
Accountability
Meanwhile, Haris Azhar, coordinator for the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), said there was nothing special about the two activists joining Gerindra except for what he said was a "transactional" reason.
"It is obvious. For those activists, Gerindra has more bargaining power for them," Haris said. "Both activists are Prabowo's victims. With such a historical 'bond,' Gerindra has become a party that could accommodate their needs," he said.
Haris said that with the two joining Gerindra, it was as good as those activists effectively saying "the past had been wiped clean, we have a new slate."
"It is also a massive propaganda coup for Gerindra. If it is accused of any historical abuses, it can turn round and say 'look, the alleged victims have joined,'" Haris said.
Even if the victims have forgiven Prabowo, it doesn't necessarily mean that he has been freed from the need to account for his actions, Harris added. He emphasized that human rights violations would never be solved if Prabowo was elected president.
"It is rare that a person in power would admit his mistakes. Would he admit and apologize to the public? Will any officials have the guts to investigate him? I doubt that," Haris said. "If Prabowo really wants to clarify about the past human rights violation, he has to do it officially before the presidential election."
Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/reformasi-activists-remember-idealism-analysts-say/