Another May tragedy possible

By Frans H Winarta

The Jakarta Post

Publication Date: 23-05-2008

It feels like yesterday when in fact it has been 10 years since reform was declared by its leaders Megawati Soekarnoputri, Abdurrahman Wahid, Amien Rais and Hamengkubuwono IX in Ciganjur, following the fall of Suharto's New Order regime in 1998.

The promises at that time were of a democracy and government unblemished by corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN), a professional military without the dual functions of the armed forces, the abolishment of extrajudicial agencies, the abolition of conglomerates, a people-based economy, human rights reverence, freedom of the press and other wishful promises.

But in reality, through the passage of time, those promises proved easier said than done because the feudalistic culture of politics, law, society and economy became embedded in our lives during the four decades of the New Order regime. Corruption is common, in an even more evenly distributed, widespread, sophisticated and shameless manner.

Although there is no more dual function for the military or extrajudicial agencies and the press is more unimpeded and the Constitution can be amended, those facts cannot guarantee the people's prosperity. The poor have become even poorer because of the decline in their purchasing power, whereas the political elites keep squabbling as if the remains of the New Order regime are for them to snatch away, and their selfish attitude is even more apparent.

It is disheartening that the people's hope of democracy and prosperity has not been fulfilled. The ideal of a welfare state under the law has become more and more vague. Corruption is often discussed and argued over, but there is hesitation in the eradication of corruption among law enforcers due to their own involvement with corruption in the past.

And the most astonishing and alarming of all is the return of the conglomerates that were the source of injustice during the New Order regime. The prominent figures of the New Order have come back onto the stage of power in the executive, legislative and judicial institutions.

The elite tycoons are also back onstage, as if they have been innocent all along, to conquer and dominate by means of money and influence, just as they did in the Suharto era with its ersatz capitalism. Bribery, collusion and providing special privileges for state officials are practiced, and earthly riches are spread.

The most unfortunate of all is that most of these tycoons are ethnic Chinese who, during the New Order regime, were pictured as 'economic animals', voracious, selfish and anti-nationalist. And all the while they remain as second-class citizens with all of the negative attributes that can make them targets for hate, riots and other social unrest. Yet, they are still ready to serve and become milk cows for the ruling officials.

Maybe we have forgotten the suffering of the reformists, university students, NGO activists and human rights activists who toppled the authoritarian regime by sacrificing everything, including their lives. Will the May tragedy happen again? (This tragedy has been known around the world as May 1998 riots. The riots took unprecedented casualties: 2,244 deaths, 91 injured and 31 missing)

Another May tragedy can happen when we are still stuck in pseudo-euphoria, uncontrollable freedom of speech, exaggerated exhibition of wealth in front of the public without showing respectful restraint toward the poor. Look at the extravagant wedding parties of tycoons' children with thousands of guests.

Look at the luxurious celebrations for the Chinese New Year in the midst of the suffering and poverty of most of the people, who are still struggling to meet their very basic daily needs. If this continues, it is likely that social unrest will intensify and a tragedy like May 1998 will recur, maybe in another, more massive form.

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