Hasyim: Simplification of political party is a must

Jakarta, NU Online
General Chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi has said that liberal democratic system with its multiparty had ever failed in Indonesia. Yet in the reform era, the multiparty system has been practiced again. This system, he said, would never create an effective government.

Hasyim said that in the multiparty system, there would be no a dominant political party--or in the term of Indonesian first president Soekarno--called as pioneer party. In this regard, the head of state would tend to take such uncertain measures amidst the multiparty's interest.&<>lt;br />
"I think the simplification of (political) party must be done but it should be functional. During the era of Pak Harto (President Soeharto), there was a party's simplification, but Golkar (party) was in his 'power' while at the same time both the United Development Party (PPP) and Indonesia Democratic Party (PDI) were functioned. The fallacy of the New Order was not on the three parties alone but it was wrong in functioning them," Hasyim recently told NU Online.

Hasyim added, the reform figures apparently focused more on how to change all administration systems of the New Order without admitting some good systems having ever been practiced by President Soeharto.

According to Hasyim there were no better rules and guidelines proposed by the "reform era" and appropriate with expected goals in replacing the ones of the New Order. In turn the campaigned "reform" was on the wrong track, he said.

Hasyim was of view that the three parties produced by the "national consensus" during the New Order era had been very ideal. They had successfully represented their own interest.

He said that in the reform era there should be such "joint agreement" to simplify "democracy". Some aspects of democracy yielding no benefits for people must be "cut off".


The simplification of democracy could only be conducted by president. "If there are regulations giving no benefits for the state, the president can issue decrees," Hasyim said, adding that he would support the candidate of president whose courage to deal with it. (nam)