Indonesia Shuns Democracy; Sukarno Starts 'Guided' System
Page 5
Dynamic President Sukarno rules the 100 million people of Indonesia with a system of government he calls "guided democracy."
DJAKARTA, Indonesia—(UPI) One of the largest nations in the world has turned its back on democracy.
His avowed intent is to restore to his people the national unity and fervor that won Indonesia her independence from the Netherlands, and to forge a new sense of national identity and purpose.
Indonesia is a vast equatorial archipelago of more than 13,000 islands dotted over the South Pacific Ocean from Asia to Australia. It is rich in natural resources and unexplored lands. Its fertile soil produces many types of food.
But, in fact, it is merely an unguided autocracy; the most serious indictment against President Sukarno is not that he has accumulated almost absolute power, but that he has failed to use it.
"GUIDED DEMOCRACY" is dismissed by critics as "misguided democracy" — wrong-headed, iron-fisted dictatorship hellbent for communist totalitarianism.
The Dutch had turned the islands into a major source of oil, rubber, tin and a veritable cornucopia of forest and plantation products.
THE YOUNG REPUBLIC began its history with an acknowledged and undisputed national language, a history of religious tolerance, a commitment to representative government, and a fierce sense of national identity transcending old and deep ethnic rivalries.
Its leadership included a remarkable triumvirate: Sukarno, a consummate orator of unrivaled mass appeal; Mohammed Hatta, a pragmatic administrator of unquestioned integrity; and Sutan Sijahir, a brilliant and perceptive political mind.
Had these three men been able to blend their views and destinies instead of whitewashing their differences, the postwar experiment in parliamentarianism might have survived.
But the nation's political force soon decomposed into a myriad of self-seeking parties vying for position and privilege. The country sank into stagnation and civil war. Dramatic change was urgently needed.
IN JULY, 1959. PRESIDENT Sukarno stepped in with "guided democracy" and the promise of dynamic leadership toward "rediscovery of our revolution."
He scrapped the new constitution and restored the revolutionary constitution of 1945 with its broad presidential powers.
He named himself premier, replaced the elected Parliament with presidential appointees, banned the influential Masjumi and Socialist parties from alleged rebel sympathies, and founded an all-embracing "national front" incorporating all parties, clubs, professional groups, and other organizations.
"Liberal democracy"—the concept of rival parties competing without restraint for voter approval—was decried as unsuited to Indonesian character.
Official Bulletin
Teaching Interviews Mar. 17, Newton;
Torrance, Calif. March 18, Kirkwood,
Mo. Mar. 19, Parkville, Mo. Make appointments in 117 Bailey.
TODAY
manemetics Colloquium, 4:30 p.m. l-13
Set for the Generalized Reduced Hausdorff Moment Problem" — E. Benton Research Center, Research Center, Madison, WI.
Catholic Mass, 5 p.m. St. Lawrence Chapel, 1910 Stratford Rd.
Graduate Student Discussion, 7:30 p.m.
St. Lawrence Center, 1910 Stratford Rd.
Film on Christian Science Education will be shown.
Episcopal Evening Prayer, 9:30 p.m.
Daporth.
TOMORROW
Catholic Mass, 6:45 a.m., St. Lawrence Chanel.
p.m. Hawks Kauai, Kansas Union
ASC, 7 p.m. Sunflower Room, Kansas
Air Force Recruiting, 10 am.-3:30
ASC, 7 p.m., Sunflower Room, Kansas Union.
Inquiry Forum, 7 p.m., St. Lawrence Center.
Inquier Classes, 7:30 p.m. Canterbury House.
President Sukarno's dissatisfaction with the party system, which he considered divisive, gave birth to the idea of "Nasakom"—an anagram of the Indonesian words for nationalism, religion, and communism.
THE NEWSPAPERS WERE transformed into "tools of the revolution" and public criticism of the government was curtailed.
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, 7:30
the Ancientism Hall of the
Abbey Hall-Rev George George Dawe.
ALEXANDRA GEORGE JARBY
Western Civ Discussion, 9 p.m., St.
Lawrence Center.
Apostles, II"—Rev. George Darby.
Western City, Discussion. 9 p.m., St.
Eaise轿 Holy Communion, 9:30 p.m.
Danforth.
"Nasakom" in public affairs was intended to blend the major currents of Indonesian thought into a single mighty river carrying the ship of state to its destiny, with Sukarno at the helm.
WHEN SUKARNO TOOK control he pledged three things: restoration of internal security, eviction of the Dutch from West Irian (New Guinea), and provision of basic food
Nolen Ellison, former KU basketball star, will discuss the topic, "Is There Any Answer to the Race Question?" Thursday.
Ellison to Speak Here Thursday
He will speak at 9 p.m. in the Student Union before a meeting of College Life, a bi-monthly, informal get-together sponsored by the Campus Crusade for Christ.
Ellison, who was the highest scoring guard in KU history, played for KU from 1959 to 1963. He was awarded the Most Valuable Player award for his play in the 1962-63 Big Eight tournament, and was picked to the All-Big Eight team for that same year.
Ellison will come to KU from his coaching job at Sumner high school in Kansas City.
In the first two he achieved notable successes.
The armed forces under General A. H. Nasution quashed the civil war in Sumatra and Celebes, rounding up its leadership with promises of amnesty. They cleaned out the fanatic west Javanese Darul Islam terrorists, and isolated the die-hard south Moluccan rebels in the hills of Ceram.
and clothing necessities for the people.
IN 1962 SUKARNO pried the Netherlands from its last foothold in the Archipelago with a dramatic nationwide mobilization campaign and the judicious deployment of paratroop commandos in the West Irian jungles, generating international pressure for a negotiated settlement.
While we are postponing, life speeds by—
Seneca said it around 25 A.D. and wise men have been echoing his remark ever since.
Our campus office specializes in life insurance programming for young men. For full information about the benefits of getting a headstart, stop by or telephone.
Today, no man can afford to postpone his financial planning. And an integral part of that planning is a life insurance program.
These were clearcut objectives in which the President was passionately concerned and where his enormous executive and political power could be effectively employed. But they were achieved at the expense of the third objective: a healthy, prosperous economy.
SENECA
Kermit D. Hoffmeier 1722 W.9th VI3-5692
It is in the handling of Indonesia's ailing economy that "guided democracy" has most conspicuously failed to improve on its predecessors.
Monday, March 16, 1964 University Daily Kansan P
PRESIDENT SUKARNO admits he is no economist. At the same time he has not generally chosen economists to help form his economic policies and administer them.
...bull rugged slims with the new A-1 pockets (single patch on hip) and loops for belt or sans belt use! Tailored to "peg" you as a sharp-smart dresser! In rugged wheat, faded blue and black denim $4.50, the new wheat s-t-r-e-t-c-h denim $6.98.
At your favorite campus store:
KOTZIN CO., LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
All RCA Albums available at BELL'S
925 Mass. VI 3-2644
BRAND NEW AND BRILLIANT
The Limeliters sing and play once more. Great folk standards like "No Man Is an Island," "The Best Is Yet to Come" and "Willow Tree." It's more of the best with the Limeliters.
And at such a modest cost . . .
One or Two Bedrooms
$75 and $85
These units have been newly decorated — with new drapes, carpets disposals, etc.
All Units Air-Conditioned Provincial Furniture Available
PARK PLAZA SOUTH
Ph. VI 2-3416
1912 W. 25th
Day or Night