Internal problems exist within the parties born in the reform era
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Constitutional Court (MK) Chief, Prof. Jimly Asshiddiqie, gauged that several political parties had currently ended up becoming trapped in oligarchy and dynastic politics.

"Internal problems exist within the parties born in the reform era," Asshiddiqie stated during an online discussion here on Sunday.

The reform was, in fact, an endeavor to reverse a situation that had a negative tendency and to improve it. For instance, the Old Order was rectified by the New Order that was then corrected by the reform, he elaborated.

The MK chief pointed out that during the course of the journey, parties claiming to have upheld democracy as the rule of law had, in fact, failed to walk the talk.

Most of those parties are still led by senior figures, so they finally experienced a gerontocracy.

Asshiddiqie expressed concern over the change of leadership in political parties tending to take a long time.

Despite several young figures currently appointed to be ministers, essentially it was the political parties, led by elderly, who took the decisions, as younger figures were merely party officials, he affirmed.

"Meanwhile, the parties experience a gerontocracy and within themselves turn into political dynasties. Certain families have emerged to become collaborating political oligarchs since democracy is increasingly expensive," he expounded.

Hence, he urged Indonesians to not think pragmatically but to play a role in advancing the nation by sharing ideas and dreams for a better Indonesia.

"If we leave it with a pragmatic attitude, we ignore what is occurring now. Everyone is enthusiastic about taking over and fighting over positions that they want to take up. We are becoming mediocre, a generation that is only taking, begging, and receiving rather than one that is giving and contributing to the progress of the nation's civilization," he added.

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Translator: Zahdiar Laeis, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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