Lupa Kata Sandi? Klik di Sini

atau Masuk melalui

Belum Memiliki Akun Daftar di Sini


atau Daftar melalui

Sudah Memiliki Akun Masuk di Sini

Konfirmasi Email

Kami telah mengirimkan link aktivasi melalui email ke rudihamdani@gmail.com.

Klik link aktivasi dan dapatkan akses membaca 2 artikel gratis non Laput di koran dan Majalah Tempo

Jika Anda tidak menerima email,
Kirimkan Lagi Sekarang

Sledgehammer Developmentalism

Translator

TEMPO

Editor

Laila Afifa

26 December 2020 11:05 WIB

TEMPO.CO, JakartaDevelopment of infrastructure should not violate basic human rights. There should be no hiding behind the principle of the right to development.

WHILE putting the highest priority on building infrastructure, the government is sacrificing basic human rights. Tempo identified distinguished violations in five strategic national projects: violence enacted against citizens in the vicinity of the projects also nullified the people's economic, social and cultural rights. The five projects in question are the construction of the international airport in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta; the development of 10 new tourism destination points; the development of the Lambo Dam in Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara; the development of the trans-Sumatra toll road; and the displacement of customary tribes in Langkat, North Sumatra.

For the Yogyakarta International Airport, for example, construction was begun despite having reached no consensus with the landowners. Each time the landowners - most of whom are farmers - picketed against being relocated, the military and the police were dispatched to disperse the demonstration. Some of these citizens are currently facing difficulties seeking a livelihood. Many of their offspring do not go to school.

President Joko Widodo's actions are identical to Suharto's over 30 years ago. An outstanding example was how Suharto had no qualms in shunting aside 5,000 people from three regencies in Central Java to build the Kedung Ombo Dam. While failing to obtain a fair reimbursement, these residents also lost their landholdings, their places of abode, and their livelihoods.

An indication of the violation of human rights was apparent in President Jokowi's statement on the Human Rights Day remembrance, December 10. In his speech, the President said infrastructure development was the government's effort to protect the basic human rights of the people. This view on the right to development, however much acknowledged by the United Nations, tags along with it several requirements. Among them the imperative of government to protect the people's right to livelihood, their right to speak out, and their right to not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, language, religion, and gender.

Indonesia ratified the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and adopted its principles in Law No. 11/2005. Development that does not prioritize the rights of the citizenry surely will be noted by the rest of the world. The impetus to punish states or corporations who disregard human rights is a currency staunchly upheld by the international community.

Using the argument of the right to development, Jokowi appears to be seeking justification to apply a sledgehammer type of "developmentalism". His principle of "work, work, work" in practice applies rapid exertion in lieu of good governance and a flagrant disregard of human rights.

Building infrastructure while ignoring the basic human rights of the people brings with it many calamities. Pushing for development targets without creating a dialogue with the stakeholders only creates anguish and much pain. It seems Jokowi has forgotten how he, while mayor of Solo, refurbished the marketplace and relocated the street vendors of Solo by putting a high premium on first creating dialogue.

The many instances of disregard for basic human rights have been the red grades in Jokowi's administration. The President's promise to seek closure on gross violations of human rights in the past to date has never come to fruition. What happened instead was the opposite: Jokowi embraced the violators of human rights, including by appointing them as ministers and advisors to the president.

The government has to put a stop to its practice of human rights violations. During the New Order, Indonesia applied more than three decades of "developmentalism" which was flagrant in its violation of human rights. It is untoward that Jokowi is closely following Suharto's footsteps.

Read the Complete Story in Tempo English Magazine



UN Human Rights Committee Highlights Extrajudicial Killings in Papua

56 menit lalu

UN Human Rights Committee Highlights Extrajudicial Killings in Papua

The UN Human Rights Committee highlighted a pattern of extrajudicial killings of Papuans as human rights violation in Indonesia.


Many Brokers in Indonesian Politics

3 jam lalu

Many Brokers in Indonesian Politics

Parties supporting Prabowo Subianto are vying for ministerial posts. There is a wish to see the PDI-P join the coalition.


Election Fraud in a Neighboring Country

21 jam lalu

Election Fraud in a Neighboring Country

Seven members of the Kuala Lumpur PPLN are proven to have inflated the number of voters for the 2024 elections.


Indonesia Commits to Strengthening Concrete Cooperation with Melanesian Spearhead Group

1 hari lalu

Indonesia Commits to Strengthening Concrete Cooperation with Melanesian Spearhead Group

Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to strengthen concrete cooperation with the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).


Because the State Is Not an Entrepreneur

1 hari lalu

Because the State Is Not an Entrepreneur

The government plans to accelerate the privatization of state-owned enterprises. Stop paying out budget funds for state companies.


Ignoring the Rights of Indigenous People

2 hari lalu

Ignoring the Rights of Indigenous People

Indigenous people are taking legal action against the President and the DPR for delaying deliberations of a bill. It has taken second place to the int


BTN Syariah's Acquisition of Bank Muamalat

7 hari lalu

BTN Syariah's Acquisition of Bank Muamalat

The government is to combine BTN's Sharia business unit with Bank Muamalat. This could lead to problems.


Lackadaisical Disaster Mitigation

7 hari lalu

Lackadaisical Disaster Mitigation

Hydrometeorological disasters hit a number of areas in Indonesia. Ironically, mitigation efforts are not yet a priority.


With No Chance to Celebrate Ramadan, Gazans Gather at Soup Kitchens

8 hari lalu

With No Chance to Celebrate Ramadan, Gazans Gather at Soup Kitchens

As other Muslims around the world consume traditional Ramadan meals to break their fast after sunset, Gazans are lucky to find a few scraps of food.


Child Pornography Syndicate in Indonesia

8 hari lalu

Child Pornography Syndicate in Indonesia

The crime of child pornography is continuing to spread. Perpetrators can operate from inside the jail.