The King Maker and 'Guided Democracy'

THE KING MAKER AND ‘GUIDED DEMOCRACY’

People consider Amin Rais as the King maker of Indonesia. This title is given for specific reason. In 1999 there was an election in Indonesia. It was the second democratic election in Indonesia after the one in 1955. Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (PDIP) or Indonesian Democracy Party of Struggle won the election. They won the majority of seat in the parliament. It was almost certain that the leader of PDIP, Megawati Sukarmoputri would win the presidential election that took place in the parliament. But Amin Rais, the chairman of Partai Amanat Nasional or National Mandate Party, established a coalition called poros tengah or central axis with other Islamic parties like Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (National Awakening Party) and Partai Persatuan Pembangunan (United Development Party). The result was great – their seat outnumbered PDIP’s seats. Consequently in the presidential election in the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (People’s Consultative Assembly – the highest state body at the time) Abdurrahman Wahid aka Gus Dur, the chairman of PKB at the time, won the election. Gus Dur became the President and Megawati became the Vice President. Then in 2001 Amin Rais led the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat to impeach Gus Dur. Gus Dur fought back by issuing a decree to dissolve the parliament but the police and the army refused to implement it. Gus Dur had no choice but to give up. Since that time on observers, press, expert and the general public give Amin Rais a special title – the King Maker. He could make and break president.

Amin Rais is also known as the vanguard of democracy in Indonesia. Long before the fall of Suharto, in 1993 Amin Rais made a statement about the importance of the succession of national leadership. In the heyday of Suharto’s Orde baru (New Order) era talking about succession is a great political taboo. Nobody dare to speak about it. Five years later Amin Rais was the key person in the reformasi or reform movement that finally could bring Suharto down from despotic power.

His contribution to democratization process in Indonesian politics is unquestionable. His reputation as democratic leader is way beyond any doubt until recently there is a friction in his party –The National Mandate Party. Amin Rais is now no longer the chairman of PAN. His official position in the party is the chairman of the council of advisor. In this position he should not take part in the day today management of the party and the decision making process. This role is played by the Sutrisno Bachir who is the chairman of the party. But lately Amin Rais held a meeting with leaders of the party branches in his house in Yogyakarta during which he stated that PAN should make a coalition with Partai Demokrat. Several weeks later he held a national meeting of the party leaders in Yogyakarta. Once again the meeting stated that they sould make a coalition with Partai Demokrat and appoint Hatta Rajasa, the former PAN secretary general, to become vice president for Susilo Bambang Yudoyono.

This decision, no doubt, is a serious blow to party democracy. It is apparent that Amin Rais is still the king in his party. The chairman of the party is no more than his puppet. This event remind me to demokrasi terpimpin or guided democracy in Sukarno era in the 1950’s. Democracy is no more than style. The substance is feudalism. He is not just the king maker. He is the king of his party. The fact that his son became a member of parliament through his party is just another proof that Amin Rais is not a democratic man anymore.