Pak Harto and Indonesia under his rule

Pak Harto is sick again and perhaps can die at any time. The ex strongman still draw a lot of attention from the mass media. He is one of the extraordinary leaders that have a large impact on the Indonesian society. I respect him. I admire him. Looking at him with his frail body chatting with Dr Mahatir Mohamad created a mixed feeling within me. Sympathetic on one hand and disappointment on the other.

He has brought so much from the Indonesian and taken a lot either. Indonesian mass media and general public are so frustrated with him that they lambasted Pak Harto with criticism and harsh comments yet forget to mention his achievements at the same time. I think this would be rather unfair to him, as he brought millions from poverty since he took over and Indonesia in post riot 1999 is in much better shape than in 1965.

During his tenure, Indonesia experienced remarkable economic growth. Although it is said that the growth only enjoyed by the privileged few, that development in fact feeds millions. Job opportunities are everywhere and the people in general need not worry whether there will be food to eat on the following day. Whatever the damage caused by corruption, collusion and nepotism, much of the country’s resources were devoted to investment in agricultural and infrastructures. The stable and relatively turbulence free environment made Indonesia a favorite destination among foreign investors.

In terms of education, the quality of education is still pathetic compared to neighboring countries, but if we are looking for the infrastructure and education opportunity, there is much breakthrough. Schools are being built in the inaccessible villages. When I went to a remote village 3 hours from Los Palos (Los Palos is 5 hours drive from Dilli), East Timor, I can still see the school buildings stand still to serve the needs of the people.

There is a big development in terms of health services. Infant mortality rate is down significantly. In villagers, the Posyandu and Puskesmas (health outposts) have successfully provided cheap medical services to the poor people. Mdm Suharto’s contribution and motivation in this area is significant. Nutritional needs and medicines are readily available at subsidized rates. There may be some abuses here and there, but then at the end of the day, the ordinary folks still able to enjoy proper healthcare.

His record on the political front is dismal. He used the Army and police force to keep peace and eliminate dissidents at the façade of national security and unity. This is good in the sense that there is stability, but it makes Indonesian become afraid to think, stop to challenge the institution and this lack of regeneration make the institution slipped into decay with no young people being prepared fro future leadership. Controlling the news and media through Department of Information, he silenced the opposition voices and closed down critical magazines.

Artificial ideas of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) become the raison d’étre to repress pluralism and engineer solid authoritarian regime. The rigid and fixed framework of Pak Harto’s Pancasila Democracy is one that cannot accommodate change and respond to the new challenge as people are clamoring for more say, seek greater human rights, accountability and guarantee to prosperity. Ultimately, the oppression of diversity for the sake of unity caused institutional failure and breakdown in the political machinery of the country.

These mixed, positive and negative development under Pak Harto administration is the thing that makes me wonder whether the media and the country has accorded to him the proper degree of respect and gratefulness. He may be the greatest corruptor of our age. He may be the general that outmaneuver the late President Sukarno. He may be the one that silenced many dissident voices. But at the same time, he is the leader who accompanied Indonesia on a long and treacherous journey towards development.