UNAIR NEWS “ This May marks the 20th anniversary of reformation.A lot of things have happened to this country.The wheels of government and civilization of society continue and will always continue despite many questions in our minds.
For example, how did this nation go through the last 20 years?Is it true that the repressive and authoritarian law is over?What is the legacy of Soeharto regime that has survived to this day?Is it true that the management of natural resources and land is much better?Did the end of the Soeharto regime end violence and oppression?What is the lesson we learn from the last 20 year history?
These questions inspired the Center for Law and Human Rights Studies (HRLS) Faculty of Law 51¶¯Âþ with Leiden University Indonesian Representative Office held a public discussion themedTwo Decades Post Soeharto Era: Which Era is Better last Friday, May 4.
The discussion taking place in Boedi Soesetyo Room, Building A FH invited 4 speakers from various institutions, Dr.Myrna A. Safitri (Agency for Restoration of Peat, Founder of Epistema Jakarta), Dr.Herlambang P. Wiratraman (Chairman of HRLS UNAIR), Dr.Abdul Wahid (Historian of Gadjah Mada University), and Dr. Yanwar Pribadi (State Islamic University of Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin).The course of the discussion was led by Iman Prihandono, Ph.D.
From the perspective of changes of natural resources of the new order era, generally, the regulations were enacted in 1967, such as Mining Law, Forestry Law, Foreign Investment Law, Domestic Investment Law.It was difficult to correct the regulations at that time.
In fact, the activists at that time considered it taboo to change the Act.It cannot be denied that in the new order, state revenue from natural resources was very large.
Then, as we examine the post-reformation law changes, there were many wishes coming to mind of many to improve the country.Both in terms of politics, law, until the economy.If the press used to be too selective, today the media is used as political legitimacy.
So what about the authoritarian regime from historical perspective?Abdul Wahid said that although there has not been a state solution to the legacy of the past, the people still have to be optimistic that Indonesia will move forward in a better direction.
Meanwhile, in regards to the dynamics of relations between Islam, the state and the society in 20 years of reformation, Yanwar Pribadi said that Indonesia is now stronger than the New Order era.Islam in Indonesia becomes a force to manage diversity.
After the discussion ended, the lesson that can be learned is that the public must remain optimistic that Indonesia will move forward.There have been many better human rights and economic instruments, supported by technology.(*)
Author: Pradita Desyanti
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
