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| Former federal minister Mehfud M.D. (File photo) |
Source/Credit: The Jakarta Globe
By Karim Raslan | April 21, 2011
A few weeks ago, after the killings of three Ahmadiyah followers in Cikeusik and the desecration of churches in Temanggung, I switched on the television to find myself watching a senior judge and former politician, Mahfud M.D., talking about tolerance while standing in the middle of a quiet urban lane.
As a former academic and minister from the Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid era, Mahfud’s message had its emphasis on pluralism and openness. Given the recent spate of violence, it was also a very timely address.
Indeed, I couldn’t shake from my mind the image of him standing there alone in his slightly too-large, batik shirt, talking straight into the camera. Impressed by his stance, I decided to meet the Madurese-born, pesantren -educated leader and hear what he had to say about the state of Indonesia.
Mahfud is the head of Indonesia’s Constitutional Court. Unlike most pejabat , or office-holders, he doesn’t take himself too seriously. He’s not a protocol-conscious man. Indeed, he’s the type of fellow for whom the word merakyat — being close to the people — is perfectly suited, as there’s nothing forbidding, austere or standoffish about him. His wry sense of humor and cheeky half-smile are an intrinsic part of his personality — somewhat reminiscent of Gus Dur himself.
Mahfud is a man with his feet on the ground. Despite his years in high office and the cut and thrust of politics he still flies home to Yogyakarta every Saturday to teach students at the Islamic University of Indonesia (UII), where he was previously the head of the law school.
Still, that doesn’t mean he’s been without controversy. Accusations of corruption in his court late last year prompted him to throw open its doors to a high-level inquiry that included legal heavyweights Adnan Buyung Nasution and Saldi Isra. After a thorough investigation he was subsequently cleared of any impropriety.
Transparency is a Mahfud hallmark, so much so that even the most ordinary of encounters in his office (including my meeting with him) are videotaped for posterity.
His views are refreshingly straightforward. In particular, he has an interesting take on corruption, saying: “There are two types of corruption: the first where you steal government money outright and the second when your behavior is arrogant and authoritarian. Injustice begins with just such an attitude.”
“All too often, the people are being cheated by their elected representatives! We have to work more fairly. There are times when I feel as if Indonesia is facing a crisis of trust.” Certainly those of us who have had to deal with high-handed civil servants will know what he means.
Nonetheless, Mahfud is frank about the Constitutional Court’s limited authority. As he says, in his self-deprecating manner, “People seem to think I’m some kind of ombudsman but my actual authority is quite limited. For a start the court doesn’t have the jurisdiction to rule on locally introduced laws, which may well be conflicting.”
“In the end I just try to guide people in need to where they should go for help.”
Mahfud believes strongly in the importance of government taking a tougher stand on defending minority rights: “Our administration must be based on the law. We have an obligation to act and protect all communities. It’s our duty and responsibility if we can’t do that — can’t be fair and just — then we’ve failed.”
Interestingly, he adds: “While Indonesia is not a religious state it’s not a secular state either — we’re in between the two.”
Mahfud sees the certainty of the law as a central issue facing Indonesia today — something that impacts on both the economy and society.
“Many investors find it difficult to invest in Indonesia. They’re fearful of being pressured and gouged. We have to settle this issue because it strikes at the heart of our economic competitiveness.”
“Still, there’s no denying that as a nation we’re on the right track in terms of democracy. The transition has already taken twelve years but the consolidation remains incomplete,” Mahfud says. “It’s highly ironic that a country that is so free can be so weak when it comes to issues of justice and fairness.”
Practical, principled and rooted, men like Mahfud reflect a less transactional view of Indonesian public life.
If the republic is to succeed, it will need hundreds more like him.
Karim Raslan is a columnist who divides his time between Malaysia and Indonesia .
Read original post here: Karim Raslan: Mahfud’s Example
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