Rakhmat Nur Hakim, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs Mahfud MD says that democracy, which has developed rapidly in the public realm, has resulted in the government feeling that it is wrong whatever it does.
He gave the example of when the government issues a policy and then many in the virtual world say that the policy is wrong. Conversely, when the government listens to suggestions from those that are critical, the government is seen as wrong by other social groups.
“When the government does something one group says it’s wrong. When the government switches course another group says it’s wrong. This is a democracy where we’re wrong no matter what we do”, said Mahfud during a webinar held by the Dutch cultural centre Erasmus Huis on Friday September 4.
Nevertheless, Mahfud said that this is a consequence of applying a democratic political system in Indonesia.
He added that democracy results in the emergence of many differences and debates in the public realm. With the rapid development of information technology these differences and debates are increasingly visible.
Mahfud also said that the test for the government is to find a position that is exactly midway between the commotion of differing opinions and debates which emerge after it issues a public policy.
“It is because of this that the government must stick to its decisions, to its duty to bring leadership to the administration of the country so that the country will be safe and remain as a democratic system”, continued Mahfud.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Mahfud MD: Demokrasi Sekarang Bikin Pemerintah Serba Salah”.]
