Without Pak Harto-Style Government Indonesia Is Going Nowhere

Recent polling by Indo Barometer suggests people still regard Pak Harto as the best leader Indonesia ever had. The survey implies most people, myself included, that Pak Harto outperforms Habibie, Gus Dur, Megawati and SBY. New Orders led by Pak Harto did deliver undeniable results.

In the wake of Pak Harto’s fall, people thought democracy is panacea, but after 13 years, some begin to cast doubt that it doesn’t work here, at least not as expected. It turns out to be reform era wastes time and goes by frenetically without certain destination and significant achievements.

What’s saddening is that the best of Pak Harto’s legacy – stability, religious tolerance, striving industries, clear national destination, high economic growth – disappears, while the worst – corruption, collusion – remains.

I do agree with the survey result. Pak Harto deserves better acknowledgement. He had done a lot for this country.

In 1965, had Indonesia’s Communist Party grasped the power successfully, Indonesia would have been disgusting North Korea-like country which always led by mad man. Thanks to Pak Harto who led Indonesia took a different path and saved us from the communist calamity.

Some milestones should be noted too. In the late 1960s, Pak Harto backed by Berkeley-trained economists could control hyper-inflation, a legacy of Bung Karno’s administration. In 1980s, Indonesia transformed itself from rice importer to self-sufficiency. In early 1990s Indonesia became industrial country where industry excelled agriculture contribution in GDP.

Population is under controlled by aggressive family planning program. Economic growth was high and invariably higher than reform era. Strategic industries were established and in fact since then Indonesia was ready for knowledge-based economy. Security officers did their job well, so relatively Indonesians live in peace.

In short, there are many things make us proud as Indonesians.

Now, all is water under the bridge. Certainly, Indonesia cannot go back to the past. However, if democracy doesn’t work, this western-style system must be improved. Democracy is not sacred, so it subject to change.

Not all policy from the past is bad and out of date. Given its past success, New Order has left must-learned legacy. Indonesia must not throw out the baby with the bath water. Some New Order’s characteristics should be considered for current implementation.

First, economy must be put before politics, as the horse before the cart. Economy is the engine, while politics is the burden. It seems reform era repeats the some mistakes of Old Order which politics overwhelmed economy and finally caused economic debacle. Because of this, after 13 years of reform era, nothing remarkably achieved in terms of prosperity.

Second, revive the real presidential system. Bizarrely, Indonesians created new system which president elected must coalesce to gain enough power in parliament. As a consequence, a president must also share portfolios to other parties whether they are in line with a president’s policy or not.

This must change. The president should have adequate power to implement policy what he has planned and promised during campaign. The ministry must be led by able persons and not by know-nothing dud politicians.

Finally, Indonesia is a developing country which mainly needs continuity of development and strong government. Democratic system doesn’t suit this requirement. Fortunately, people begin to realize that our system goes wrong by remembering Pak Harto-style government. It is the first step to make headway.

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