Uncertain Future after 2004 Election

June 7^th vote: the people are still afraid but believe in the future

Jakarta (Fides) – The electoral campaign, the battle for the first democratic elections in Indonesia, opened on May 19^th. "The elections are of capital importance for domestic stability and re-launching the economy. They must help to restore the confidence of the people who today are afraid but still believe in the value of dialogue and tolerance". This statement was made by American Jesuit Fr James Spillane, 22 years a missionary in Indonesia, an expert on economy, professor at Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In an interview with Fides, Fr Spillane spoke about the present situation in Indonesia.

What is the atmosphere, one year after the May 1998 riots?

The situation is one of uncertainty. People are afraid of the government and of those who provoke violence. It was thought that after the fall of the Suharto regime, problems were over and a new era would begin. But this was not so. The shadow of the former dictator still hangs on. According to the human rights committee, made up of members of the government and civil and international associations, the army was responsible for the riots and killing of students last year. The special police force, experts in fighting terrorism who are led by Suharto’s son in law, are said to be directly involved.

In what frame of mind are the people preparing to vote?

They hope for a legal change of government: they have no confidence in Habibie, the "adopted son" of Suharto who will never have the courage to put Suharto and his family in the hands of justice. The ministers are all Suharto’s men. For thirty years the opposition has not existed in Indonesia. Today they are making a fresh start.

The elections are relatively "free". The electoral campaign has started, but the people fear political battles. The atmosphere is like a football game, the parties have different colours, the members parade the streets and are mostly young people. This is why it can easily degenerate into violence. It is more of a battle between rival gangs than the presentation of political programmes. Many candidates simply say they are "against Suharto", but offer no political proposals.

What is the situation on the social level?

As Cardinal Darmaatmadja has said, the people believe in the value of tolerance between peoples of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions. The Cardinal is confident that the people will choose tolerance and reject violence. This will only be possible with a change of government. if the Golkar wins again there will be a feeling of discouragement and new social tension could arise. The Golkar, for its part, does not want to relinquish power for fear of being charged with corruption. The people have more hope than confidence.

For my part, having been here for 22 years, I think I know Indonesians. They are naturally inclined to dialogue and tolerance, rather than conflict. Before taking a decision, they ask everyone’s opinion. This is why many believe in the "theory of conspiracy" which holds that behind social disorder there is the hand of Suharto, who has still much influence at the political and military levels. The experts in terrorism, for example, studied methods of ethnic cleansing and exercised them on the Chinese ethnic group, gradually expelling them from the country in order to replace their economic leadership.

How do you see the unrest in Ambon and East Timor?

In Ambon there is no war over religion. The problem stems from the government’s policy of forced migration in this century, which has poured into the Moluccas a consistent number of people who are now in conflict with the local people. Timor is another negative example of the army in politics: the groups which cause trouble are supported and financed by the army. It should be noted however, that behind the flag of independence there lies an island very poor, without industries, schools, infrastructures, and dependent for 60% of its economy, on Indonesia. If they separate how will Timor survive?

As an expert in economy, how do you see Indonesia’s future?

At the economic level, the major problem was famine in 1997 and 1998 which caused a rise in the price of rise, the stable food. Today the situation has improved, the price of rice has dropped, people have food to eat. There remains the problem of unemployment effecting mainly the middle class. There is been a visible decrease in tourism, with a strong negative impact on the economy. Tourism depends on internal stability and security: if there is tension and unrest, it diminishes. Foreign investments follow the same logic. This is why the political scene after June 7^th is of capital importance for Indonesia.

A tendency to constantly demand help from international organisations must be eliminated. Indonesia has all the resources necessary for a flourishing economy: it is much richer than many African countries. This tendency is a left over of Dutch colonialism, which for 350 years did nothing to promote the Indonesia’s development.

What is the situation at the university, from your point of view as a teacher?

The situation of young people is concerning: they have no certainty for the future. They number about 200 million, fear unemployment and have no economic resources. 20% of the young people, at my university and in others, cannot afford to finish their studies. This means unemployment and growing frustration. This is why during the next three months I will travel through the United States in search of funds to help poor students. The wave of student protest seems to be over: but the young people fear provoking agents.

What is the Church doing? Is it on the side of the people and how?

The Church plays its part and is near to the people. Most of the Bishops are from the lower classes, their lifestyle is simple. The Church runs schools, hospitals, colleges, orphanages, social centres. Catholics are a positive presence in the country and they must be also present in politics: not forming a Catholic party, but co-operating with others in the civil society, participating in the political process for the good of all and not for individual interests.

What is your overall forecast and your experience as a missionary?

A real change cannot come about suddenly, it will take time. On the whole I am optimistic: I think the Indonesian people are psychologically and spiritually mature. The population is young and it looks to the future: their is a great deal of idealism and desire to build a society with more justice, freedom and peace.

After 22 years in this country I can say that my experience has been positive. My mission in the field of education has helped to forge a better future for the people. Education for a more effective distribution of resources. In this the role of the Church is important. Missionaries often have their own "little kingdom". I do not like to be the "head of a project". I like to start a project and then let the local people take over. In fact at the university I opened a library, a computer centre, a centre for research which today are run by others. (28/5/1999)