Pakistan's tragedy should serve as lesson for us

Rizal Sukma, Jakarta, Indonesia

The news came as a shock to the world. The assassination of Pakistan's former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, added another tragedy to the long history of violence in that country. It also reminded the world of the unstable nature of Pakistan's politics. The assassination will certainly turn the situation from bad to worse. The prospect for a long period of political instability in Pakistan can no longer be overlooked.

Benazir Bhutto was a brave lady. On the day of her return to Pakistan from self-imposed exile in October, she narrowly escaped suicide attacks that left more than 130 people dead. Despite various death threats directed at her, she was determined to go ahead with her campaign for the election scheduled in January 2008. The rally she attended last Thursday in Rawalpindi was her last. We all should respect her courage to stand for what she believed in.

People might have different opinions about her. However, it is important to recognize that Benazir Bhutto was a symbol of gender equality not only in the Muslim-majority society of Pakistan but throughout the Muslim world. She became the first female prime minister in 1988 and was elected again in 1993. She was a source of inspiration to female politicians in male-dominated political societies across the world.

We mourn her death. Even more so because within the context of Pakistan's chaotic politics, it might be difficult to determine who is responsible for this heinous and cowardly act. Every group could be suspect. Speculations abound as to the possible involvement of terrorists, radical extremists, and even rogue elements within the government of President Pervez Musharraf.

The world must condemn the assassination, and put pressure on President Musharraf to immediately investigate it. Pakistan's politics has been marred by violence for too long. Once lauded as a democracy, it has now become a military-run state characterized by political assassinations, terrorist attacks, and religious extremism. President Musharraf has been accused of being too soft in combating these three deadly political diseases.

The tragedy in Pakistan should also serve as an important lesson for all of us here in Indonesia. Before the military coup led by General Musharraf, Pakistan was undergoing an experiment in democracy. But democracy failed to take root. The political elite were, and still are, locked in endless political bickering, and corruption became rampant. The society is divided and characterized by intra-religious conflicts among different Muslim groups.

The chaotic nature of Pakistan's democratic experiment could have been the reason behind General Musharraf's move to take over power through a military coup. The military muscle, however, has made the situation worse. Within an undemocratic system, violence becomes a way for the people to articulate their political aspirations, express anger and frustration, and settle differences.

It would be far-fetched to suggest that Indonesia could become another Pakistan. Our democratic experiment has so far resulted in a much better consolidation process. We have not experienced political assassinations (God forbid). Political competition and the quest for power were resolved in two free and fair general elections, first in 1999 and then in 2004.

However, procedural democracy alone, as manifested in general elections and multi-party politics, is not enough. Democratic norms and values must also be entrenched among the political elite and general society. We need to improve governance, respect human rights, defend freedom of expression, strengthen the rule of law, and curb violence.

We should also remember that the three deadly political diseases of Pakistan -- political bickering, corruption, and religious extremism -- are also present in Indonesia. Except for corruption, their levels are much less here. However, we should be vigilant, because these problems could become worse if we do not tend to them.

Despite the process of democratization that began in 1998, the use of violence remains a visible feature of both political and social life. While violence is still an exception rather than a norm, it is absolutely necessary for the government to pay more attention to the problem of law enforcement. What happened in Pakistan clearly shows that a state's inability to enforce the law is a recipe for political instability.

The writer is the deputy executive director of the Centre for Strategic International Studies in Jakarta.