A Lesson From Egypt

It was yesterday, Thursday February 10, 2011, when Trudy Rubin, a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, suggested some lessons from couple different countries for Egypt. She took Indonesian case as the most fit lesson for Egypt to learn. Here is a part of her writing:

"So, are there Indonesian lessons that Egyptians could learn?

Here's one: Both the Indonesian regime and the opposition made concessions that helped the reform process move forward, gradually. Acting President Habibie - a technocrat, not a general - opened up the political system. Both the opposition and the former Suharto elite were allowed to form new parties.

Habibie served only one year; a key opposition leader, Abdurrahman Wahid, was elected president in 1999. The army's power was reduced, but it remained the bulwark in the background.

In Egypt, where Mubarak still refuses to leave, real power has devolved to his new vice president, Omar Suleiman. So far, this veep has shown little interest in opening the political system, despite a few cosmetic gestures. A former intelligence chief - who is called "Egypt's torturer-in-chief" by human-rights groups - Suleiman seems more comfortable with intimidation than with facilitating reform.

True, Indonesia had advantages absent in Egypt. Its moderate variant of Islam is melded with elements of Hinduism and Buddhism; Muslim extremism exists on the fringes but is an exception. And the Indonesian opposition had leaders who could rally large numbers of people. Future President Wahid, and gutsy Amien Rais, each headed huge Muslim social organizations that helped build new political movements without espousing political Islam.

But what saved Indonesia was the fact that key players, including the army, Habibie, and the opposition, acceded to real, but gradual, change.

In Egypt, the regime is betting it can outlast the demonstrators. It is refusing to provide space for new leaders and secular parties to develop, which is crucial to offset the Muslim Brotherhood. It may be a minority, but it is well-organized.

Down this path lie more violence, and gains for the Islamists. As Washington should be warning, Suleiman can't afford to ignore the Indonesian model, no matter how different the details."

Who Learn What?

Many analysts were so nervous if Husni Mubarak would create a chaos to prove what he said at the first week of the protest that the country would be led into chaos if he step down soon. Many prediction were produced due to the multi-interpretation word regarding his decision to give more authority to the the military.


Today, the history was made. Egyptian people, in particular the protesters, may celebrate the time when the torture, the oppression and the fear were defeated by the conviction of the people. Mubarak stepped down and the Egyptian dance in jubilant celebration, because their dignity was restored by courage and unity.


Looking at this wonderful moment, I pay much attention to the way the organizer and protesters showed the courage, avoided more violence at the end,  and demonstrated their sincere love even to the military who had been the hands of Husni Mubarak in the past. The Egyptian people hold firm the ultimate goal: freedom, dignity, welfare. It is not the end of their struggle, but we may glad that they met what they wanted.


Yes, the Egypt have similar historical context and experience with Indonesia. However, it is our turn now to learn from Egyptian to pursue a goal without violence.  Moreover, perhaps we blame Mubarak for his oppression in the past, but we may learn his gentleness to leave the throne without creating more victim just to prove his prediction.


Ignatius Suparno
February 11, 2011