Prof. Dr. Sudjito, S.H., M.Sc., Chief Caretaker of S2 and S3 Law Magister, Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), said that Indonesia’s legal condition would be more gloomy if old legal paradigm is still implemented, which is positivistic, as it tends to be secular, materialistic and ideologically flawed.
Sudjito explained that Indonesia’s legal paradigm has indeed been run, but leaving out morality. Law is separated from morality and takes side more with power, businessmen and politicians; and this marginalises people.
“What is required by the people is substantial justice and social justice that are based on God, not those resulting from bargaining process and formal legal enforcement. So, it became “law upholding, yes, moral upholding, no!†said Sudjito in a national seminar with the theme “Reflection on Nationality: Review of National Life Today and Future†in the Auditorium of the Faculty, UGM, Tuesday (29/12).
But Sudjito added that this nation should be always optimistic in realising better Indonesian law. This should be made by making a jump of paradigm, from the old paradigm to new holistic paradigm. Therefore, he is convinced, that law can be implemented and well upheld.
Meanwhile, Ellan Satriawan, S.E., M.Sc., Ph.D., lecturer in Faculty of Economics and Business, UGM, said that there are some significant matters related to Indonesian economic development calling for contemplation in 2010.
The main question that should always be asked, continued Ellan, has the economic development orientation in the past year made Indonesian nationals as the final destination of development, not only aiming at increases in GNP, exports and other economic indicators?
Economic development that only orientates at economic growth and other materialistic indicators will surely grow and expand, and it may be higher within a short period. Orientation of development such as this does indeed grow the economy, but also raises other problems that are counter-productive to the economic development itself. “The wider gap between income groups, between rural and urban areas and between regions, are indicators that our economic growth is still orientated at material growth, not human,†he explained.
Besides, Ellan said that the Government should also monitor economic development and build contact with private sector proportionally. Until now, the Government’s role in the economy is often disproportionate and misplaced. One example was the loose Government’s stance in dealing with big businesses and its strong intervention in small businesses and cooperatives. “Those are the things that need to be reaffirmed and be made the soul for forward policy design and implementation,†he explained.