Globalizing Information Technology: Issues and Challenges in Contemporary Indonesias Democracy.
SOCIOLOGY AND POLICY PRACTICES
IN CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Edited by:
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Centre for Socioglobal Studies
Padjadjaran University
Foreword by:
Dr. Arry Bainus MA
Dean, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Padjadjaran University
2015
SOCIOLOGY AND POLICY PRACTICES
IN CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
© 2015 Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin et.all.
First Published May, 2015
Published By
Penerbit Samudra Biru (Member of IKAPI)
Jomblangan Gg. Ontoseno Blok B No 15 Rt 12/30
Banguntapan Bantul Yogyakarta Indonesia 55198
Telp. (0274) 9494 558
E-mail/FB: psambiru@gmail.com
ISBN: 978-602-9276-55-8
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
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Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
CONTENTS
Contents .............................................................................................
Acknowledgement ..............................................................................
Foreword ............................................................................................
Introduction .......................................................................................
Chapter 1
Globalizing Information Technology:Issues and
Challenges in Contemporary Indonesia’s Democracy
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Ari Ganjar Herdiansah
and Wahyu Gunawan ............................................
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
iii
ix
xi
xiii
1
ASEAN Community 2015: A New Human Resources Paradigm
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Arry Bainus and Ali Maksum ........................................................................
15
Communication Strategy through Media Education: An Efort to Achieve Harmony and Sustainability in Indonesia-Malaysia Relations
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Fitaha Aini, Tofan Rakhmat Zaky and Forina Lestari ................................
27
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
iii
Chapter 4
Indonesian Culture Heritages in the 21St Century
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Tia Devianti and R. A.
Tachya Muhamad ....................................................
Chapter 5
Crafting Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal:
Role of Nepalese Political and Welfare Institutions
Bala Raju Nikku, Pradipta Kadambari, Pranita
Bhushan Udas and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ...........
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Urban Poverty and Housing
Chapter 8
Mohd Haizzan Yahaya and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin..........................................................................
Human Traicking
Syarif Muhidin Abdurahman and Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin ...................................................................
iv
77
93
101
Youth and Crime
Kumarashwaran Vadevelu, Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
and Wahyu Gunawan ..............................................
Chapter 10
53
Indonesian Broadcasting Policy: Achieving Educated and Civilized Society for Social Welfare
Fitaha Aini & Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ..................
Chapter 9
39
Concluding Remarks ..........................................
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
107
125
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
Ali Maksum, is a Ph.D candidate at the Centre for Policy Research and
International Studies (CenPRIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. His
current project is about the Indonesia-Malaysia relations from defensive
realism perspective. He has written articles have been published in such
publisher as Kajian Malaysia: Journal of Malaysian Studies, Springer (ISI),
Indonesia national newspapers and conferences.
Arry Bainus, Ph.D is a senior lecturer at Department of International
Relation Padjadjaran University. He recived his doctoral degree in University
of Indonesia. He focuses his studies on issues arround national security
and defence, including political study on Indonesian Army. Now he is a
dean at Faculty of Social and Political Science Padjadjaran University
Ari Ganjar Herdiansah, Ph.D is a lecturer at Department of Sociology
Padjadjaran University. In 2014 he received his doctoral degree in political
sociology at University of Malaya, Malaysia. His main academic concerns
are political sociology of Islamic society, political communication, and the
politics of community.
Bala Raju Nikku, MSW, Ph.D is a Visiting Sr. Lecturer, Social Work
ProgramSchool of Social SciencesUniversiti Sains Malaysia (USM)&
Member at Large, International Association of Schools of Social Work
(IASSW) Founding Director, Nepal School of Social Work.
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
v
Fitaha Aini, MA, is a communication lecturer in Indonesia. She has
published book and journals in the ield of communication and media. In
2013, she published her irst book entitled Kebebasan Akhbar MalaysiaIndonesia. She completed her study in Science University of Malaysia
(Persuasive Communication) in 2008 and University of Malaya (Media
Studies) in 2011. Her previous research was evaluation of communication
programs (2009-2014) and formulation of communication policy
(2015-2019) in Indonesia under the Ministry of National Development
Planning.
Forina Lestari, M.Sc. obtained B.Sc.Eng. (ITB, 2006), MSc in Housing,
School of Housing, Building and Planning, University of Science Malaysia
(USM, 2008).Lecturer at Indonesian Institute of Technology (ITI). She
has published a book: Alam Takambang Jadi Guru: Merajut Kearifan Lokal
dalam Penanggulangan Bencana di Sumatera. Consultant and expertise at
Directorate of Rural and Urban Afairs, Indonesia National Development
Planning Agency (Bappenas) and Directorate General of Spatial Planning,
Ministry of Public Works(2013), Directorate General of Regional
Development Assistance, Ministry of Home Afairs and Expert, Deputy of
the Area Development, Ministry of Public Housing (2012), Expert Staf,
Commission V (Infrastructure), he Indonesian House of Representatives
(DPR, 2011).Junior Expert, Directorate of Rural and Urban Afairs,
Indonesia National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas, 2010).
Kumarashwaran VadeveluMSW is a Ph.D scholar at the Social Work
Programme, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. His
current Ph.D studies regarding social support system among youth who
identiied as transgender women dealing with HIV/AIDS issues. Currently,
he’s working as an outreach worker with AIDS Action and Research Group
(AARG), Universiti Sains Malaysia under the programme of Needle and
Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) which is dealing with the drug user
community.
Mohd. Haizzan Yahaya MSW is Ph.D scholars from University Sains
Malaysia. He is currently researching on Urban Poor Housing and being
supervised by Dr. Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin and associate professor Dr.
Azlinda Azman.
vi
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, MA and Ph.D. from University of Malaya.
He is a leturer at Departement of Social Welfare (1982-2011) and
Departement of Sociology (2011-present), Head Departement of Sociology
in Faculty Social and Political Science, Padjadjaran University (2014present). Visiting Associate Professor at University of Malaya (2008) and
Visiting Associate Professor at Univerisiti Sains Malaysia (2012- present).
Syarif Muhidin, Prof. Dr., obtained his Ph.D. from University
of Pedjadjaran (UNPAD) Bandung (1997), Master of Science from
University of Wales (1979), Diploma in Social Policy & Administration
from University College of Swansea (1977). Currently, he is Visiting Senior
Lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), prior as Visiting Lecturer at
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 2010-2012, and formerly as the Head
of Research Institute of University of Langlangbuana (UNLA), last he is a
Honorable Member (Dewan Kehormat) of the Institute for Social Work
Sertiication of Indonesia (2012-up to the present).
Tahcya Muhamad, R. A. Drs. MSi is a senior lecturer at Department
of Sociology Padjadjaran University.He is expert in sociology of family and
rural community.
Tia Devianty, S.IP., MPA, is a PhD candidates at Universitas
Padjadjaran, and a master’s degree graduate from Public Policy, Faculty
of Public Policy and Management, Flinders University, Australia. Now,
a lecturer at Ahmad Yani University, Bandung - from september 1996 –
present Teaching, Researching, and Public Servicing.Current Researches are
mainly about Capacity Building For Decentralization (2008-now).
Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, S.Ip MA is a researcher at the Department of
International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
He is activist in Art Movement in Malaysia.
Wahyu Gunawan is aPhD candidate at Padjadjaran University and a
senior lecturer at Department of Sociology Padjadjaran University. He is
eager in engaging on community development particularly in rural areas.
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
vii
Has background in rural government studies and sociology, he now expert
in sociology of government in rural community.
viii
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillah. hanks to Allah SWT, whom with His willing giving
me the opportunity to complete this book entitled Sociology and Policy
Practices in Contemporary Issues. he publication of this book would
not have been possible without the guidance and knowlwdge wich I
have acquired from my honourable professors; Professor A.D Saefullah University of Padjadjaran and Professor Abd. Hadi Zakaria - University of
Malaya. I would also like to dedicate this book to my beloved wife, Tuty
Tohri and our lovely children Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, Forina Lestari, Fitaha
Aini and Tamal Arief Ihsan - their support in my life.
he publication of this book would not be possible without the assistance
and cooperation that we have received over the years from the many
individuals and organization in various parts of the world. In particular, we
wish to thank our team, all authors - Department of Sociology Padjadjaran
University and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Specially thanks especially to Ali
Maksum for his excellent assistance during the editorial process of this
book. Dr. Arry Bainus the Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences,
Padjadjaran University.All of my Masters-PhD students and colleagues at
Padjadjaran University as well as USM whom I would like to thanked for
providing continuous support towards my success.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
ix
x
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
FOREWORD
Dr. Arry Bainus, MA
Dean, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Padjadjaran University
I would like to express my sincere wishes to Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, PhD as Head Department of Sociology Faculty of Social and
Political Sciences Padjadjaran University for his great dedication and
success in completing this book titled “Sociology and Policy Practices
in Contemporary Issues”. his is a very interesting and important book
which I personally feel able to impart more knowledge to the many
academics, not only from sociology and political ields, but also from other
ields as well. he various issues addressed in this book are in fact very
much current issues that is happening around the globe, which need to be
understand and scrutinize for better intervention.
I am really honoured to be given the opportunity to give a foreword
to this special book. It is hoped that this book able to generate more
discussions and awareness on quest for searching for the more relevant
solutions to all social, political and economic issues occurring around us
today.
I would like to congratulate all chapter contributors for sharing their
ideas and knowledge, which I am sure able to set platform for more writers
to venture into the highlighted issues. I sincerely hope that more of this
book kind will be published in the near future.
hank you.
Wassalam.
Bandung, 2015
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
xi
xii
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
INTRODUCTION
In the Name of God, the Most Gracioeus, the Most Merciful
his book provides a thematic issues and challenges in the new era,
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues. he main
objective is to present an integrated analysis of how the discipline of
sociology can contribute to our wider understanding of the variety of
social and political issues, practices and insttitutions approachs, policies
and philosophy wich exist in our society and countries. his explanatory
chapters expected to examine and understand as well as ofer choices for
human beings in the dinamics world to build a human harmony.
his book depart from the point of view that sociology is as applied
social and political sciences can contribute to the development of human
life through many perspectives; political and international strategy,
culture, history, communi-cation, poverty and social probles. he various
theme have been selected are discussed from social fenomena to policy
directions.
In the irst chapter, focus on the Information Technology (IT)
developments that more increasingly integrated in almost every social aspect
have shaped Indonesia’s contemporary democracy. Chapter two, ASEAN
Community 2015 and discusses the dilemma of Indonesian workers
especially those who categorized as illegal in Malaysia. Both countries have
recognized their positive contribution whether for Malaysia or Indonesia.
It was undeniable that all sectors in Malaysia especially construction and
plantation were using Indonesian workers services. At the same time,
Indonesia also indirectly obtained advantages through the remittance
which totally contribute to the national economic development. However,
what happened in Malaysia is illegal workers were arrested and treat as a
criminal. It should be stopped and substituted by the constructive policies
which could give beneits to the both countries. Indonesia and Malaysia
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
xiii
and the countries in ASEAN should build strong partnership in all sectors
especially migrant workers which seen obtain small attention. Facing the
ASEAN Community 2015 both countries should prepare as maximize as
possible by empowering all aspects including migrant workers. By take
positive action towards migrant workers both countries indirectly has
contribute to the development of “Ummah.”
In the thrird chapter discusses communication strategy through media
education: an efort to achieve harmony and sustainability in IndonesiaMalaysia relations - concludes a guidance should be provided to the public
so that they can be more critical and wise in dealing with any negative
news. A critical community is a community who is able to diferentiate the
written and hidden message of writing. A wise community is the one who is
not provoked by provocative and negative news. Indonesian and Malaysian
should be aware that each of them has had a signiicant contribution one
to another. A good example can be seen through the assistant of Malaysian
people in the disaster recovery process in Indonesia and the existence
of Indonesia migrant workers in the Malaysia’s economic development.
However, Indonesia-Malaysia rela-tions is always changing and tend
to lead to conlict situations. he role of media and media educationis
importantas a communication strategy to implement the problem solving
modelin understanding the global situation and the public policies who
are based theory of cultural conlict and acculturation. Chapter fourth,
the author emphasized Indonesian Culture Heritages in the 21St Century.
his section concludes that hird World back to dig the philosophical values
that are in each country. For instance, the basic values of the Indonesian nation is
relected in the ive principles of Pancasila namely the divinity in God Almighty,
humanity, unity and nationality, deliberation and social justice for all people.
he problem is how to translate basic values into the concept of development
and preserve cultural heritage. Apparently, the third world thinkers have to work
harder to formulate a philosophical values - ideological cultural heritage as part of
the great nations of the world.herefore, the cultural heritages is an essential
economic asset in facing the escalation of human development.
In the chapter ifth takes up the theme of crafting federal democratic
Republic of Nepal: role of Nepalese political and welfare institutions.
Nepal is one of the least developed, post conlict recovery countries going
through a series of transitions and eforts of nation building. his chapter
concludes that the citizen mobilisation that took place over a period of time
due to the experiments with democracy building in Nepal in the past sixty
years should be sustained, to further ensure the vibrancy and consolidation
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Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
of democracy, resulting in crafting a uniied republic out of a multi ethnic
Nepal. Chapter six explores the broadcast media industry and the role model
or best practice in the broadcast media industry. his concept is suitable
due to it contains freedom which is up-to-date without abandoning the
values of religion, culture and national spirit. Overall, Indonesia requires
an (endogenous) big push to strengthen and institutionalize the use of
research product for design and implementation of public policies. his
will be a crucial factor in determining the success of the welfare policies
that the government is currently designing.
In the chapter seven related with poverty phenomena. However,
these historical problems did not result in serious poverty under the well
planned economic system. he number of poor people inherited from
the previous period was also relatively small. In addition, the struggle of
urban poor communities in Malaysia for housing and land rights is closely
related to the development and history of the country. After the British
colonial period, Malaysia’s priority was to develop its economy by focusing
on the manufacturing and export industry in urban areas. his resulted
when people from rural areas migrating from village to the city, in search
of opportunities and to ill the workforce demand. Most of the urban
migrants would build their own house near the manufacturing factories,
because the surrounding lands were unoccupied and unused. With hard
work and their own resources they would clean the area (wilderness) and
build houses; this would encourage the development in the area and hence
they are known as urban pioneers.
In chapter eigth focus on human traicking, issues and Challenges.
Human trafcking has become global issue and problem. he researchers
concluded that the relevant region is suspect as illegal and such region
is indicated as human traicking (if the elements of coercion and sexual
exploitation are met). he challenges of the government has the right and
responsibility to provide all the protections to its citizen inside as well as
outside the country. here is still optimistic that emphasizing spiritual values
in the public administration and services will enhance the performance
of the government. Finally, the latest chapter nine concern onyouth and
crime as social problem. However, the Malaysia’s social policies makers
can make this recommendation as a guide in outlining or implement a
rehabilitation program for youths involved in crime. At the same time
and hopefully this research will also beneit the school management and
Penang Welfare Department in using this research to improve existing
rehabilitation programs in these institutions. In addition, through this
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
xv
research, it is expected that the people of Malaysia be aware especially in
spending the time with their children or less able to prevent their children’s
involvement in crime. Finally, researchers expect this research can provide
as important reference material for dealing with negative behavior such as
criminal involvement among adolescents in Malaysia.
his book examines the social and political fenomena in the broader
“Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues” perspective. It
is compiled from travelers and knowledge experiences in international
seminars, talks and forum of researchers, supervisions and other discussion
with my professors and colleagues, PhD and Master students. hat
experiences, together with their personal values and interests extremely
inluence to all authors in this book. Personally, I hope that those who
engage and read this book will obtain fruitful knowledge. All errors are the
author’s responsibility.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
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Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
Chapter
1
Globalizing Information Technology:
Issues and Challenges in Contemporary Indonesia’s
Democracy
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Ari Ganjar Herdiansah and Wahyu Gunawan
READERS GUIDE
his chapter focus on the Information
Technology (IT) developments that more
increasingly integrated in almost every
social aspect have shaped Indonesia’s
contemporary democracy. his paper
examines the role and inluence of IT,
especially the Internet and social media,
to the practices of people’s recent political
life. he issues addressed in this paper
are several events that depict the relation
of IT and political competition around
2014 presidential election. his study
reveals that IT usage has facilitated the
raising of people awareness on political
or public issues, so they can put pressures
on the government policies or strengthen
particular political views. However, the IT
Globalizing Information Technology
1
development also brings the challenge of digital discrimination. Political
pressure through the use of IT represents only certain groups who are able
to access it and neglected the rest of others. he freedom to get involved
in political discourses that enjoyed by the netizens in fact can be used by
the political and media elites to support them. Moreover, the interaction
between the political elite, the media, and the public on the Internet has
led to an intense cyberconlict that potentially extends to either vertically
or horizontally social conlict. herefore, eforts to build the norms that
go along with the IT development are needed, so its destructive efects on
democracy could be avoided.
INTRODUCTION
he information technology (IT) in Indonesia has gained its momentum
to developed since 1990s. In 1995 the Internet had enter to this country
and the government also purchased the satelite for supporting the national
IT in 1997. he information low was dramatically increased and strated
to take a part in politics (Woodier, 2009). he IT then contribute to 1998
political reform when activist groups organizing movement through the
mailing list so that information could be disseminated to various NGOs
since 1996 (Hill & Sen, 2005: 47). Political reform followed by the
birth of political act package which regulate political parties, elections,
and the arrangement position of the MPR, DPR, and DPRD (Hidayat,
2007). In addition, the government also enacted Act No. 40/1999 which
guarantees freedom of the press (Wibowo, 2009). hrough thos set of acts,
democratization has been strarted in all social political life. People were
free to formed political parties, exercised transparent elections, the power
restructured based on people sovereignty, and the freedom of speech.
Meanwhile, the globalized of IT has inluenced the increase of IT device
users in Indonesia. In 1998, the use of the Internet in Southeast Asian
countries, including Indonesia, were still low and did not correlated on
productivity. In line with the multinational companies expansion of in the
region, the Internet technology was growing rapidly in Southeast Asia (Yue
& Lim, 2002: 38). he efects can be seen on the statistics of Indonesia’s
Internet users. Based on Indonsia Internet Service Providers Association
(APJII) survey, in 1998 there were only around 500,000 Internet users,
whereas in 2012 there were approximately 63 million Internet users in
Indonesia. Insight MarkPlus survey results show Indonesia’s Internet users
jumped to 74 million in 2013 (the-marketers.com, 2014).
2
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
Table 1. Indonesia’s Internet Users
Source: Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia (2014).
he use of IT devices, such as mobile phones and Internet access,
has become part of people’s lifestyles. In almost all public places, people
look busy using their gadget such a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Insight
MarkPlus survey conducted in September 2010 revealed that the average
user spends time between 3-5 hours to access the Internet with a range
of activities, from reading online news, status updating in social media,
and involved in online transaction. Conventional media such as television,
radio, and newspapers no longer be the main reference for Internet users
(Hasanudin, dkk, 2011: 22-24).
With the increasing of IT penetration, political actors such as parties,
politicians, and interest groups then use the Internet and social media
as communication means to the public. hey experienced the beneit of
mass media in reaching the voters and to spread their political platforms.
Currently, almost all parties have a website, blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
In addition to provide information via social media accounts oicially,
political parties and politicians also hiring cyberspace teamwork to support
their campaigns. hey make thousands of anonymous accounts in various
social media, aimed at directing and creating public opinion on certain
issues that are in line with their political interests. his phenomenon
illustrates the use of the Internet and social media are increasingly linked
in political practices.
Globalizing Information Technology
3
Internet and social media have provided the space and means to
expand people’s political awareness. With facilities such as commenting
and news, photos, and video sharing, social media makes a person more
expressive of a public or political issue. hose facilities are easily accessible
via smartphone device and can be used anywhere as long as connected to
the Internet. hey who usually not give much attention to political news,
such as women, youth, and mothers, now becoming more actively respond
to political news.
he characteristics of Internet and social media as a political media has
enabling political discourses are built at the grassroots level. Communities
sharing information and their views on political issues. his makes
social media as spaces for the formation of collective action and political
organization (Bimber et al., 2010: 72). Tkacheva et al. (2013)et al. (2013
said that in a pluralistic regime, the Internet could strengthen social mobilization as a means for activists to build an online reputation. hey can share
activities and information that can delegitimize the regime. he signiicant
political change in Middle East countries since 2010, or better known
as the Arab Spring, was scrolling when people gathered their forces via
Facebook and Twitter. Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt are some actual examples
of how the long lasting and powerful regime inally toppled by a social
movement which also called “Facebook Revolution” (Martens-Edwards,
2014: 9). By the power of forming collective actions, social media is
considered as another democracy pillars.
Governments in non-pluralist countries consider Internet and social
media has a potential to threaten state stability. herefore, the government
regime cleverly use of the Internet and social media as a channel for
controlling information. In Russia, the government is tend to co-optation
of social media usage, while China is more likely to control information
as well as the use of social media (Oates, 2012). Chinese government
action to block Facebook, Twitter, and other social media basically caused
by political reason. In 2009, Uighurs had used Facebook to mobilize
independence protests in Xinjiang region. he Chinese government was
also blocking foreign online news media such as he New York Times and
Bloomberg (Harvey et al., 2014: 328). However, the Chinese government
allowed an alternative social networking site like Renren.com so that the
citizens can be monitored and controlled.
Although Internet and social media users are freer in pluralist regime, but
some evidences suggest that democratic government is actually keeping an
4
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
eye on its citizens through the use of IT. Edward Snowden case in 2013 is
proof of this ongoing symptom. He is a former member of the intelligence
contractor National Security Agency (NSA) who leaked the NSA’s spying
activities. According to his words, NSA has been spying millions of people
around the world, including US citizens and world political leaders. Further,
it is also known that the NSA had been wiretapping against millions of
telephone connections and hacking two-thirds world websites (Gonzalez,
2014: 123-124). hus, all kind of regimes essentially strives to maintain
its rule while the IT developments provide balancing power. Both pluralist
and non-pluralist have a diference in their approach.
From description above, the relationship between IT globalization with
democratic political life should be examined, particularly about the impacts
that occurred in Indonesia. While the use of IT is considered to have
strengthening democratic politics, however it also have the drawbacks. his
paper further will analyzes some issues and challenges of IT globalization
that determines the dynamics of contemporary democracy in Indonesia.
he issues addressed in this paper are several events that depict the relation
of IT and political competition around 2014 presidential election. he
2014 presidential election moment relects the Indonesian democracy
has fully characterized by IT penetration and lead to the new pathways
in which political power is extremely split between pro-government and
opposition.
DISCUSSION
Considering the wide range of the problems, the issues to be discussed
and analyzed in this paper are limited to several aspects. he events around
2014 elections will be used to understand the present state of Indonesian
democracy. Such issues include, irst, how democracy supported by IT, has
caused a technology gap and inequalities. he IT users who are not more
than 16 percent of Indonesia’s population are more freely in articulating
their interests compared to others who don’t have an access to IT. Second,
the mainstream discourse is largely built through Internet-mediated
realities. his trend has become beneits for political and media elites as
they could be the main agents in political discourses. hird, the IT has
been used as an arena for political battles between elites where they involve
the Internet citizen (netizen) and eventually raising risks of spreading social
conlicts.
Globalizing Information Technology
5
Political Representation and Digital Discrimination
he role of Internet and social media in the democratic political process
is easily visible on how the device is used as a medium for public interest
articulation. It is easier for society to express their views or interests through
IT devices. However, the use of social media and political participation
patterns show no clear correlation. his is probably due to the information
obtained via the Internet is seen as less credible. he relationship between
people expression and political views are more inluenced by the nature of
the interaction, the quality of information, and the extent to which the
actions can satisfy users (Kushin & Yamamoto, 2013: 71).
Some cases that depict social media support in politics, among
others, Wanda Hamidah dismissal by PAN on September 2014 after she
supported Jokowi as candidate. housands of social media user, especially
in Twitter, encouraged Wanda to stick with her decision and ight against
the authoritarian party (Merdeka.com, 2014). Another example is
when Surabaya city major, Tri Rismaharini, intends to resign after being
repeatedly engaged chaotic politics. he netizen then massively expressed
their support to Rismaharini. PoliticaWave study result that released to
Tempo on February 2014, recorded that nearly 30 thousand conversations
in social media pinning hashtag #SaveRisma (Tempo.co, 2014a).
he two cases above suggests that political issues are no longer in the
realm of the political structure or limited to political parties, but also been
a public consumption. It draws that the people’s support on certain issues
has lowing profusely. When referring to Kushin and Yamamoto (2013)
premise that netizens consider the credibility of information sources, then
Indonesian netizens are likely to respond to information from online news
media that are considered as credible. Anyway, its pressures driven by
netizens do not really afect political policy taken by the relevant political
party, but raised the bubble efect of particular political discourse.
However, there also a case where social media could put pressure on
governmental policy. he act of regional head election (UU Pilkada) case in
2014 for example, the president seemed concerned with the massive critics
to Demokrat Party who walkout in DPR plenary session and gave a way to
DPR passing regional head election conducted by the parliament. Tweet
with hashtag #WelcomeMrLiar to protest SBY became a trending topic
on Tuesday (30/9) morning (Kompas.com, 2014b). Finally, the president
responded by issuing a decree (Perppu) to restore the direct elections. His
decision was based on a belief that around 70 percent Indonesian people
6
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
required direct election. he president also considers the impressions on
Youtube (Tempo.co, 2014b), whereas the plan of moving to parliamentaryelected regional election was a proposal from SBY government. he
estimated 70 percent of popular support stated by SBY was not supported
by scientiic studies facts. While the results study of he Research and
Development Agency (Balitbang) Ministry of Home Afairs reveals that
Indonesian people in general are not ready to implement the direct election
due to negative impacts on society (Bpp.kemendagri.go.id, 2014).
Table 2. Indonesia’s Internet Penetration Position
Source: Public Data Google (2014).
From case above, we can see that Internet and social media are able
to strengthen certain aspiration that evolved in political discourses. he
problem is whether the Internet and social media actually represent the
people’s general will. An overwhelming support to certain issues in Internet
and social media does not necessarily represent the political participation
(Park, 2007). Statistically, the number of Internet users in Indonesia was
not more than 15.8 percent of the total population. Based on geographical
distribution, most of Internet users are from big cities, approximately
75 percent of users are concentrated in Jakarta, 15 percent in the second
largest city, Surabaya, 5 percent spread in other Java areas, and the rest 5
percent in all areas outside Java (Hill & Sen, 2005: 72). hese facts reveal
that even the Internet penetration is raising, the inequality and unequal
distribution of IT still present in Indonesia. herefore, the more powerful
IT in directing public policy and pressing political will, the more likely a
Globalizing Information Technology
7
political process ignores those who unable to access IT. his phenomenon
gives us a clue contemporary Indonesia’s democracy has been reshaped by
the use of IT. However, if this pattern continues, the Indonesian democracy
will facing the challenges of the digital divide, which formed a new culture
that beneit people and organizations who are capable in exploiting the IT,
and on the other hand it harmed to they who can not adapt to the new
culture (Murelli, 2002: 1-5).
UNDER THE ELITE’S SHADOW
With the pattern of IT that gives social media legitimation to highlight
people aspiration, it is interesting to investigate on how the power of
people’s opinion is formed. he most interesting case for this discussion
is the political ‘battle’ between two presidential candidate’s supporters in
2014 presidential election, include political elites who own prominent
media owners. One of Jokowi-JK supporter is Nasdem Party whose the
leader, Surya Paloh, is the owner of Media Indonesia Group. Similarly,
Prabowo-Hatta were supported by Golkar Party where the chairperson
is Bakrie who own Viva News. he tendency of favoring a candidate was
not only from the media that clearly under supporters. Metro Tv, Media
Indonesia, Tempo, Kompas, and Detik.com are known tend to favor
Jokowi-JK, meanwhile Tv One, ANTV, RCTI, and Vivanews likely to
favor Prabowo-Hatta (heglobal-review.com, 2014).
Excesses of news tendency to president candidates then foster political
discourse debate among social media users. hrough its debate, the positive
and negative perceptions about the candidate have formed. For example,
Jokowi positively perceived as a leader comes from the commoners or
creative and clever in coping problems, while Prabowo perceived as the
strong and brave igure. In other side, they also being perceived negatively,
like Jokowi as a comprador and Prabowo as human right ofender. According
to Brants & Votmer in (dalam Graham et al., 2013) such discourse thus
illustrates the increasing of pattern complexity about relationship between
politicians, journalists and netizens in which the political elite and
traditional media cooperating and compete with each other and at the same
time interacting with the public to shape political representation. Karlsson
& Astrom (2013) said that political representation in the Internet and
social media has to be viewed from two aspects. First, the representation
that connected to political parties or politicians. Second, representation
that has no connection to political parties or politicians. However, both
8
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
can afect each other, where the view of ideology or political party will get
a response in social media. Likewise, the growing discourse on social media
will be a consideration in determining the parties and politicians driving
strategy opinion. herefore, political parties or politicians as the actors
behind the strength of opinion on social media are plausible.
However, an opinion on social media does not necessarily become the
driving force that determines the political change. Gamson & Wolfsfeld
(1993) reveal that the central institution for social movement is actually
the traditional mass media such as television, radio, and newspaper, which
has the role to mobilize movement, legitimate mainstream discourses, and
escalate the conlict. hus, a discourse that developed in social media would
become a mainstream if being highlighted by the mass media. herefore,
the role of social media as a democracy pillar should be examined critically,
because the power of public opinion on social media are signiicantly
inluenced by two actors, political parties or politicians and mass media.
Each of them is mutually reinforcing a mainstream discourse. On the
other hand, almost all-major media owned by igures ailiated to political
parties. herefore, there is another perspective that the opinion in the
power of social media cannot be separated from the role of politicians and
mass media. his fact relects the challenges of Indonesia democracy that
reality is increasingly mediated by the development of discourses on the
Internet and mass media where the decisive actors are political authorities
and mass media. In other words, democracy that built through social
media ironically keeps the essence of people sovereignty.
CYBERCONFLICT AND SOCIAL CONFLICT
he netizen involvement in political competition has formed social
cleavages. Mocanu et al. (2013) study about Romanian on-line presidential
campaign in 2011-2012, found that netizen interaction in election event
had growing the ‘volunteer’ and ‘supporters’ groups. Volunteers are a group
that has a well coordinated work and clear objectives, while common
supporters are those who actively reinforce opinions in a discourse. In
Indonesia case, those groups of volunteers and supporters oftenly get
involved in conlicts. Some of them even did not hesitate to provoke
conlicts with racial issues and the smear campaign, so the development
of the conlict in the social media feared would spread on the grassroots.
Conlicts about the presidential election are still considered as normal
and conducive in the real world, but not so in social media. he military
Globalizing Information Technology
9
who provide security during the presidential election thought that the
cyberconlict could harmed the whole society, so their personnels had
been assigned to monitor the conlict in social media (Metrotvnews.com,
2014).
Karatzogianni (2006: 87), stated that there are two types of conlicts
occurred on the Internet, or the so-called cyber conlict, i.e sociopolitical
and ethnoreligious. Cyber conlict that present during 2014 presidential
election is essentially socio-political, because the subject is political
competition, such as political vision, programs, and politicians track
record in each candidate’s camp. However, the conlict was widened to
ethnoreligious dimension. Jokowi-JK proponents are characterized as
moderate Muslims, pro-pluralism, liberal, non-Muslims, and anti-New
Order, whereas Prabowo-Hatta supporters come from the army/military big
family, Islamists, and New Order romanticist. his cleavages is recognized
by PKS chairman, Anis Matta, who perceived it like a separation of
European and American, conservatives for Prabowo-Hatta supporters and
liberals Jokowi-JK supporters (Kompas.com, 2014a).
Cyber conlict that occurs during the 2014 presidential election was
essentially a political battle between political actors, which then engage
broader people in raising popular support. Interestingly, the conlict did
not necessarily come to an end after the presidential election had over.
he cleavage between Jokowi-JK and Prabowo-Hatta supporters then
continues into the shape government supporters and its opponents. he
government system also thrived as if consist of the government parties and
the opposition. herefore, cyberconlict could have serious implications
due it is driven by political actors for their own interests. he discourse
battle to build public opinion has a strategic role in mobilizing real
support in the society. he perpetrators who involved in cyberconlict
carry out information war and spreading propaganda. Parties who are able
to dominate the battle on the Internet have a more favorable position in
the actual conlict (Limnéll, 2014). his pattern seems to be appears in
recent Indonesia political competition and indicate that the globalizing
IT is more likely to take an important role. he democratic competition,
then, increasingly determined by how the parties or politicians and media
elites are capable to utilize IT resources.
10
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
CONCLUSION
he important role of IT in Indonesia democracy has reconstructed the
concept of democracy itself. he assumption that social media is democracy
pillar should be examined critically. A discourse mainstream that evolved
though Internet and social media turned out to be questioned about its
democratic representation. he privilege of Internet and social media to
give pressure on policies are also at risk of forming a populist democracy
and discriminatory. Political agenda, which brought by political parties or
politicians and mass media in the process, cannot be denied. On the one
hand, the development of IT can indeed serve as a balancing power for the
regime, but on the other hand also has the potential to bring cyberconlict
that can develop into social conlicts and disintegration. he challenge is
how the use of IT really recomposed the meaning of people sovereignty
in political and social life. Internet and social media has been used as
a means of populism, a dichotomy corrupt elite with people (Muddle,
2007), but the discourses orientation are also determined by the political
actors. herefore, the further research should be directed to study of how
the opinion being constructed by the role of politicians and media elites.
In addition, eforts are needed to establish the norms that goes along with
the development of IT, so its destructive efects on democracy could be
minimized.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Vs Prabowo di Sosmed. Retrieved Novem
IN CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Edited by:
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Centre for Socioglobal Studies
Padjadjaran University
Foreword by:
Dr. Arry Bainus MA
Dean, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Padjadjaran University
2015
SOCIOLOGY AND POLICY PRACTICES
IN CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
© 2015 Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin et.all.
First Published May, 2015
Published By
Penerbit Samudra Biru (Member of IKAPI)
Jomblangan Gg. Ontoseno Blok B No 15 Rt 12/30
Banguntapan Bantul Yogyakarta Indonesia 55198
Telp. (0274) 9494 558
E-mail/FB: psambiru@gmail.com
ISBN: 978-602-9276-55-8
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
ii
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
CONTENTS
Contents .............................................................................................
Acknowledgement ..............................................................................
Foreword ............................................................................................
Introduction .......................................................................................
Chapter 1
Globalizing Information Technology:Issues and
Challenges in Contemporary Indonesia’s Democracy
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Ari Ganjar Herdiansah
and Wahyu Gunawan ............................................
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
iii
ix
xi
xiii
1
ASEAN Community 2015: A New Human Resources Paradigm
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Arry Bainus and Ali Maksum ........................................................................
15
Communication Strategy through Media Education: An Efort to Achieve Harmony and Sustainability in Indonesia-Malaysia Relations
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Fitaha Aini, Tofan Rakhmat Zaky and Forina Lestari ................................
27
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
iii
Chapter 4
Indonesian Culture Heritages in the 21St Century
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Tia Devianti and R. A.
Tachya Muhamad ....................................................
Chapter 5
Crafting Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal:
Role of Nepalese Political and Welfare Institutions
Bala Raju Nikku, Pradipta Kadambari, Pranita
Bhushan Udas and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ...........
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Urban Poverty and Housing
Chapter 8
Mohd Haizzan Yahaya and Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin..........................................................................
Human Traicking
Syarif Muhidin Abdurahman and Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin ...................................................................
iv
77
93
101
Youth and Crime
Kumarashwaran Vadevelu, Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
and Wahyu Gunawan ..............................................
Chapter 10
53
Indonesian Broadcasting Policy: Achieving Educated and Civilized Society for Social Welfare
Fitaha Aini & Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin ..................
Chapter 9
39
Concluding Remarks ..........................................
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
107
125
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
Ali Maksum, is a Ph.D candidate at the Centre for Policy Research and
International Studies (CenPRIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. His
current project is about the Indonesia-Malaysia relations from defensive
realism perspective. He has written articles have been published in such
publisher as Kajian Malaysia: Journal of Malaysian Studies, Springer (ISI),
Indonesia national newspapers and conferences.
Arry Bainus, Ph.D is a senior lecturer at Department of International
Relation Padjadjaran University. He recived his doctoral degree in University
of Indonesia. He focuses his studies on issues arround national security
and defence, including political study on Indonesian Army. Now he is a
dean at Faculty of Social and Political Science Padjadjaran University
Ari Ganjar Herdiansah, Ph.D is a lecturer at Department of Sociology
Padjadjaran University. In 2014 he received his doctoral degree in political
sociology at University of Malaya, Malaysia. His main academic concerns
are political sociology of Islamic society, political communication, and the
politics of community.
Bala Raju Nikku, MSW, Ph.D is a Visiting Sr. Lecturer, Social Work
ProgramSchool of Social SciencesUniversiti Sains Malaysia (USM)&
Member at Large, International Association of Schools of Social Work
(IASSW) Founding Director, Nepal School of Social Work.
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
v
Fitaha Aini, MA, is a communication lecturer in Indonesia. She has
published book and journals in the ield of communication and media. In
2013, she published her irst book entitled Kebebasan Akhbar MalaysiaIndonesia. She completed her study in Science University of Malaysia
(Persuasive Communication) in 2008 and University of Malaya (Media
Studies) in 2011. Her previous research was evaluation of communication
programs (2009-2014) and formulation of communication policy
(2015-2019) in Indonesia under the Ministry of National Development
Planning.
Forina Lestari, M.Sc. obtained B.Sc.Eng. (ITB, 2006), MSc in Housing,
School of Housing, Building and Planning, University of Science Malaysia
(USM, 2008).Lecturer at Indonesian Institute of Technology (ITI). She
has published a book: Alam Takambang Jadi Guru: Merajut Kearifan Lokal
dalam Penanggulangan Bencana di Sumatera. Consultant and expertise at
Directorate of Rural and Urban Afairs, Indonesia National Development
Planning Agency (Bappenas) and Directorate General of Spatial Planning,
Ministry of Public Works(2013), Directorate General of Regional
Development Assistance, Ministry of Home Afairs and Expert, Deputy of
the Area Development, Ministry of Public Housing (2012), Expert Staf,
Commission V (Infrastructure), he Indonesian House of Representatives
(DPR, 2011).Junior Expert, Directorate of Rural and Urban Afairs,
Indonesia National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas, 2010).
Kumarashwaran VadeveluMSW is a Ph.D scholar at the Social Work
Programme, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. His
current Ph.D studies regarding social support system among youth who
identiied as transgender women dealing with HIV/AIDS issues. Currently,
he’s working as an outreach worker with AIDS Action and Research Group
(AARG), Universiti Sains Malaysia under the programme of Needle and
Syringe Exchange Program (NSEP) which is dealing with the drug user
community.
Mohd. Haizzan Yahaya MSW is Ph.D scholars from University Sains
Malaysia. He is currently researching on Urban Poor Housing and being
supervised by Dr. Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin and associate professor Dr.
Azlinda Azman.
vi
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, MA and Ph.D. from University of Malaya.
He is a leturer at Departement of Social Welfare (1982-2011) and
Departement of Sociology (2011-present), Head Departement of Sociology
in Faculty Social and Political Science, Padjadjaran University (2014present). Visiting Associate Professor at University of Malaya (2008) and
Visiting Associate Professor at Univerisiti Sains Malaysia (2012- present).
Syarif Muhidin, Prof. Dr., obtained his Ph.D. from University
of Pedjadjaran (UNPAD) Bandung (1997), Master of Science from
University of Wales (1979), Diploma in Social Policy & Administration
from University College of Swansea (1977). Currently, he is Visiting Senior
Lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), prior as Visiting Lecturer at
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 2010-2012, and formerly as the Head
of Research Institute of University of Langlangbuana (UNLA), last he is a
Honorable Member (Dewan Kehormat) of the Institute for Social Work
Sertiication of Indonesia (2012-up to the present).
Tahcya Muhamad, R. A. Drs. MSi is a senior lecturer at Department
of Sociology Padjadjaran University.He is expert in sociology of family and
rural community.
Tia Devianty, S.IP., MPA, is a PhD candidates at Universitas
Padjadjaran, and a master’s degree graduate from Public Policy, Faculty
of Public Policy and Management, Flinders University, Australia. Now,
a lecturer at Ahmad Yani University, Bandung - from september 1996 –
present Teaching, Researching, and Public Servicing.Current Researches are
mainly about Capacity Building For Decentralization (2008-now).
Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, S.Ip MA is a researcher at the Department of
International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
He is activist in Art Movement in Malaysia.
Wahyu Gunawan is aPhD candidate at Padjadjaran University and a
senior lecturer at Department of Sociology Padjadjaran University. He is
eager in engaging on community development particularly in rural areas.
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
vii
Has background in rural government studies and sociology, he now expert
in sociology of government in rural community.
viii
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillah. hanks to Allah SWT, whom with His willing giving
me the opportunity to complete this book entitled Sociology and Policy
Practices in Contemporary Issues. he publication of this book would
not have been possible without the guidance and knowlwdge wich I
have acquired from my honourable professors; Professor A.D Saefullah University of Padjadjaran and Professor Abd. Hadi Zakaria - University of
Malaya. I would also like to dedicate this book to my beloved wife, Tuty
Tohri and our lovely children Tofan Rakhmat Zaky, Forina Lestari, Fitaha
Aini and Tamal Arief Ihsan - their support in my life.
he publication of this book would not be possible without the assistance
and cooperation that we have received over the years from the many
individuals and organization in various parts of the world. In particular, we
wish to thank our team, all authors - Department of Sociology Padjadjaran
University and Universiti Sains Malaysia. Specially thanks especially to Ali
Maksum for his excellent assistance during the editorial process of this
book. Dr. Arry Bainus the Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences,
Padjadjaran University.All of my Masters-PhD students and colleagues at
Padjadjaran University as well as USM whom I would like to thanked for
providing continuous support towards my success.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
ix
x
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
FOREWORD
Dr. Arry Bainus, MA
Dean, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Padjadjaran University
I would like to express my sincere wishes to Muhamad Fadhil
Nurdin, PhD as Head Department of Sociology Faculty of Social and
Political Sciences Padjadjaran University for his great dedication and
success in completing this book titled “Sociology and Policy Practices
in Contemporary Issues”. his is a very interesting and important book
which I personally feel able to impart more knowledge to the many
academics, not only from sociology and political ields, but also from other
ields as well. he various issues addressed in this book are in fact very
much current issues that is happening around the globe, which need to be
understand and scrutinize for better intervention.
I am really honoured to be given the opportunity to give a foreword
to this special book. It is hoped that this book able to generate more
discussions and awareness on quest for searching for the more relevant
solutions to all social, political and economic issues occurring around us
today.
I would like to congratulate all chapter contributors for sharing their
ideas and knowledge, which I am sure able to set platform for more writers
to venture into the highlighted issues. I sincerely hope that more of this
book kind will be published in the near future.
hank you.
Wassalam.
Bandung, 2015
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
xi
xii
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
INTRODUCTION
In the Name of God, the Most Gracioeus, the Most Merciful
his book provides a thematic issues and challenges in the new era,
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues. he main
objective is to present an integrated analysis of how the discipline of
sociology can contribute to our wider understanding of the variety of
social and political issues, practices and insttitutions approachs, policies
and philosophy wich exist in our society and countries. his explanatory
chapters expected to examine and understand as well as ofer choices for
human beings in the dinamics world to build a human harmony.
his book depart from the point of view that sociology is as applied
social and political sciences can contribute to the development of human
life through many perspectives; political and international strategy,
culture, history, communi-cation, poverty and social probles. he various
theme have been selected are discussed from social fenomena to policy
directions.
In the irst chapter, focus on the Information Technology (IT)
developments that more increasingly integrated in almost every social aspect
have shaped Indonesia’s contemporary democracy. Chapter two, ASEAN
Community 2015 and discusses the dilemma of Indonesian workers
especially those who categorized as illegal in Malaysia. Both countries have
recognized their positive contribution whether for Malaysia or Indonesia.
It was undeniable that all sectors in Malaysia especially construction and
plantation were using Indonesian workers services. At the same time,
Indonesia also indirectly obtained advantages through the remittance
which totally contribute to the national economic development. However,
what happened in Malaysia is illegal workers were arrested and treat as a
criminal. It should be stopped and substituted by the constructive policies
which could give beneits to the both countries. Indonesia and Malaysia
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
xiii
and the countries in ASEAN should build strong partnership in all sectors
especially migrant workers which seen obtain small attention. Facing the
ASEAN Community 2015 both countries should prepare as maximize as
possible by empowering all aspects including migrant workers. By take
positive action towards migrant workers both countries indirectly has
contribute to the development of “Ummah.”
In the thrird chapter discusses communication strategy through media
education: an efort to achieve harmony and sustainability in IndonesiaMalaysia relations - concludes a guidance should be provided to the public
so that they can be more critical and wise in dealing with any negative
news. A critical community is a community who is able to diferentiate the
written and hidden message of writing. A wise community is the one who is
not provoked by provocative and negative news. Indonesian and Malaysian
should be aware that each of them has had a signiicant contribution one
to another. A good example can be seen through the assistant of Malaysian
people in the disaster recovery process in Indonesia and the existence
of Indonesia migrant workers in the Malaysia’s economic development.
However, Indonesia-Malaysia rela-tions is always changing and tend
to lead to conlict situations. he role of media and media educationis
importantas a communication strategy to implement the problem solving
modelin understanding the global situation and the public policies who
are based theory of cultural conlict and acculturation. Chapter fourth,
the author emphasized Indonesian Culture Heritages in the 21St Century.
his section concludes that hird World back to dig the philosophical values
that are in each country. For instance, the basic values of the Indonesian nation is
relected in the ive principles of Pancasila namely the divinity in God Almighty,
humanity, unity and nationality, deliberation and social justice for all people.
he problem is how to translate basic values into the concept of development
and preserve cultural heritage. Apparently, the third world thinkers have to work
harder to formulate a philosophical values - ideological cultural heritage as part of
the great nations of the world.herefore, the cultural heritages is an essential
economic asset in facing the escalation of human development.
In the chapter ifth takes up the theme of crafting federal democratic
Republic of Nepal: role of Nepalese political and welfare institutions.
Nepal is one of the least developed, post conlict recovery countries going
through a series of transitions and eforts of nation building. his chapter
concludes that the citizen mobilisation that took place over a period of time
due to the experiments with democracy building in Nepal in the past sixty
years should be sustained, to further ensure the vibrancy and consolidation
xiv
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
of democracy, resulting in crafting a uniied republic out of a multi ethnic
Nepal. Chapter six explores the broadcast media industry and the role model
or best practice in the broadcast media industry. his concept is suitable
due to it contains freedom which is up-to-date without abandoning the
values of religion, culture and national spirit. Overall, Indonesia requires
an (endogenous) big push to strengthen and institutionalize the use of
research product for design and implementation of public policies. his
will be a crucial factor in determining the success of the welfare policies
that the government is currently designing.
In the chapter seven related with poverty phenomena. However,
these historical problems did not result in serious poverty under the well
planned economic system. he number of poor people inherited from
the previous period was also relatively small. In addition, the struggle of
urban poor communities in Malaysia for housing and land rights is closely
related to the development and history of the country. After the British
colonial period, Malaysia’s priority was to develop its economy by focusing
on the manufacturing and export industry in urban areas. his resulted
when people from rural areas migrating from village to the city, in search
of opportunities and to ill the workforce demand. Most of the urban
migrants would build their own house near the manufacturing factories,
because the surrounding lands were unoccupied and unused. With hard
work and their own resources they would clean the area (wilderness) and
build houses; this would encourage the development in the area and hence
they are known as urban pioneers.
In chapter eigth focus on human traicking, issues and Challenges.
Human trafcking has become global issue and problem. he researchers
concluded that the relevant region is suspect as illegal and such region
is indicated as human traicking (if the elements of coercion and sexual
exploitation are met). he challenges of the government has the right and
responsibility to provide all the protections to its citizen inside as well as
outside the country. here is still optimistic that emphasizing spiritual values
in the public administration and services will enhance the performance
of the government. Finally, the latest chapter nine concern onyouth and
crime as social problem. However, the Malaysia’s social policies makers
can make this recommendation as a guide in outlining or implement a
rehabilitation program for youths involved in crime. At the same time
and hopefully this research will also beneit the school management and
Penang Welfare Department in using this research to improve existing
rehabilitation programs in these institutions. In addition, through this
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
xv
research, it is expected that the people of Malaysia be aware especially in
spending the time with their children or less able to prevent their children’s
involvement in crime. Finally, researchers expect this research can provide
as important reference material for dealing with negative behavior such as
criminal involvement among adolescents in Malaysia.
his book examines the social and political fenomena in the broader
“Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues” perspective. It
is compiled from travelers and knowledge experiences in international
seminars, talks and forum of researchers, supervisions and other discussion
with my professors and colleagues, PhD and Master students. hat
experiences, together with their personal values and interests extremely
inluence to all authors in this book. Personally, I hope that those who
engage and read this book will obtain fruitful knowledge. All errors are the
author’s responsibility.
Wassalam.
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin
xvi
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
Chapter
1
Globalizing Information Technology:
Issues and Challenges in Contemporary Indonesia’s
Democracy
Muhamad Fadhil Nurdin, Ari Ganjar Herdiansah and Wahyu Gunawan
READERS GUIDE
his chapter focus on the Information
Technology (IT) developments that more
increasingly integrated in almost every
social aspect have shaped Indonesia’s
contemporary democracy. his paper
examines the role and inluence of IT,
especially the Internet and social media,
to the practices of people’s recent political
life. he issues addressed in this paper
are several events that depict the relation
of IT and political competition around
2014 presidential election. his study
reveals that IT usage has facilitated the
raising of people awareness on political
or public issues, so they can put pressures
on the government policies or strengthen
particular political views. However, the IT
Globalizing Information Technology
1
development also brings the challenge of digital discrimination. Political
pressure through the use of IT represents only certain groups who are able
to access it and neglected the rest of others. he freedom to get involved
in political discourses that enjoyed by the netizens in fact can be used by
the political and media elites to support them. Moreover, the interaction
between the political elite, the media, and the public on the Internet has
led to an intense cyberconlict that potentially extends to either vertically
or horizontally social conlict. herefore, eforts to build the norms that
go along with the IT development are needed, so its destructive efects on
democracy could be avoided.
INTRODUCTION
he information technology (IT) in Indonesia has gained its momentum
to developed since 1990s. In 1995 the Internet had enter to this country
and the government also purchased the satelite for supporting the national
IT in 1997. he information low was dramatically increased and strated
to take a part in politics (Woodier, 2009). he IT then contribute to 1998
political reform when activist groups organizing movement through the
mailing list so that information could be disseminated to various NGOs
since 1996 (Hill & Sen, 2005: 47). Political reform followed by the
birth of political act package which regulate political parties, elections,
and the arrangement position of the MPR, DPR, and DPRD (Hidayat,
2007). In addition, the government also enacted Act No. 40/1999 which
guarantees freedom of the press (Wibowo, 2009). hrough thos set of acts,
democratization has been strarted in all social political life. People were
free to formed political parties, exercised transparent elections, the power
restructured based on people sovereignty, and the freedom of speech.
Meanwhile, the globalized of IT has inluenced the increase of IT device
users in Indonesia. In 1998, the use of the Internet in Southeast Asian
countries, including Indonesia, were still low and did not correlated on
productivity. In line with the multinational companies expansion of in the
region, the Internet technology was growing rapidly in Southeast Asia (Yue
& Lim, 2002: 38). he efects can be seen on the statistics of Indonesia’s
Internet users. Based on Indonsia Internet Service Providers Association
(APJII) survey, in 1998 there were only around 500,000 Internet users,
whereas in 2012 there were approximately 63 million Internet users in
Indonesia. Insight MarkPlus survey results show Indonesia’s Internet users
jumped to 74 million in 2013 (the-marketers.com, 2014).
2
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
Table 1. Indonesia’s Internet Users
Source: Asosiasi Penyelenggara Jasa Internet Indonesia (2014).
he use of IT devices, such as mobile phones and Internet access,
has become part of people’s lifestyles. In almost all public places, people
look busy using their gadget such a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Insight
MarkPlus survey conducted in September 2010 revealed that the average
user spends time between 3-5 hours to access the Internet with a range
of activities, from reading online news, status updating in social media,
and involved in online transaction. Conventional media such as television,
radio, and newspapers no longer be the main reference for Internet users
(Hasanudin, dkk, 2011: 22-24).
With the increasing of IT penetration, political actors such as parties,
politicians, and interest groups then use the Internet and social media
as communication means to the public. hey experienced the beneit of
mass media in reaching the voters and to spread their political platforms.
Currently, almost all parties have a website, blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
In addition to provide information via social media accounts oicially,
political parties and politicians also hiring cyberspace teamwork to support
their campaigns. hey make thousands of anonymous accounts in various
social media, aimed at directing and creating public opinion on certain
issues that are in line with their political interests. his phenomenon
illustrates the use of the Internet and social media are increasingly linked
in political practices.
Globalizing Information Technology
3
Internet and social media have provided the space and means to
expand people’s political awareness. With facilities such as commenting
and news, photos, and video sharing, social media makes a person more
expressive of a public or political issue. hose facilities are easily accessible
via smartphone device and can be used anywhere as long as connected to
the Internet. hey who usually not give much attention to political news,
such as women, youth, and mothers, now becoming more actively respond
to political news.
he characteristics of Internet and social media as a political media has
enabling political discourses are built at the grassroots level. Communities
sharing information and their views on political issues. his makes
social media as spaces for the formation of collective action and political
organization (Bimber et al., 2010: 72). Tkacheva et al. (2013)et al. (2013
said that in a pluralistic regime, the Internet could strengthen social mobilization as a means for activists to build an online reputation. hey can share
activities and information that can delegitimize the regime. he signiicant
political change in Middle East countries since 2010, or better known
as the Arab Spring, was scrolling when people gathered their forces via
Facebook and Twitter. Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt are some actual examples
of how the long lasting and powerful regime inally toppled by a social
movement which also called “Facebook Revolution” (Martens-Edwards,
2014: 9). By the power of forming collective actions, social media is
considered as another democracy pillars.
Governments in non-pluralist countries consider Internet and social
media has a potential to threaten state stability. herefore, the government
regime cleverly use of the Internet and social media as a channel for
controlling information. In Russia, the government is tend to co-optation
of social media usage, while China is more likely to control information
as well as the use of social media (Oates, 2012). Chinese government
action to block Facebook, Twitter, and other social media basically caused
by political reason. In 2009, Uighurs had used Facebook to mobilize
independence protests in Xinjiang region. he Chinese government was
also blocking foreign online news media such as he New York Times and
Bloomberg (Harvey et al., 2014: 328). However, the Chinese government
allowed an alternative social networking site like Renren.com so that the
citizens can be monitored and controlled.
Although Internet and social media users are freer in pluralist regime, but
some evidences suggest that democratic government is actually keeping an
4
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
eye on its citizens through the use of IT. Edward Snowden case in 2013 is
proof of this ongoing symptom. He is a former member of the intelligence
contractor National Security Agency (NSA) who leaked the NSA’s spying
activities. According to his words, NSA has been spying millions of people
around the world, including US citizens and world political leaders. Further,
it is also known that the NSA had been wiretapping against millions of
telephone connections and hacking two-thirds world websites (Gonzalez,
2014: 123-124). hus, all kind of regimes essentially strives to maintain
its rule while the IT developments provide balancing power. Both pluralist
and non-pluralist have a diference in their approach.
From description above, the relationship between IT globalization with
democratic political life should be examined, particularly about the impacts
that occurred in Indonesia. While the use of IT is considered to have
strengthening democratic politics, however it also have the drawbacks. his
paper further will analyzes some issues and challenges of IT globalization
that determines the dynamics of contemporary democracy in Indonesia.
he issues addressed in this paper are several events that depict the relation
of IT and political competition around 2014 presidential election. he
2014 presidential election moment relects the Indonesian democracy
has fully characterized by IT penetration and lead to the new pathways
in which political power is extremely split between pro-government and
opposition.
DISCUSSION
Considering the wide range of the problems, the issues to be discussed
and analyzed in this paper are limited to several aspects. he events around
2014 elections will be used to understand the present state of Indonesian
democracy. Such issues include, irst, how democracy supported by IT, has
caused a technology gap and inequalities. he IT users who are not more
than 16 percent of Indonesia’s population are more freely in articulating
their interests compared to others who don’t have an access to IT. Second,
the mainstream discourse is largely built through Internet-mediated
realities. his trend has become beneits for political and media elites as
they could be the main agents in political discourses. hird, the IT has
been used as an arena for political battles between elites where they involve
the Internet citizen (netizen) and eventually raising risks of spreading social
conlicts.
Globalizing Information Technology
5
Political Representation and Digital Discrimination
he role of Internet and social media in the democratic political process
is easily visible on how the device is used as a medium for public interest
articulation. It is easier for society to express their views or interests through
IT devices. However, the use of social media and political participation
patterns show no clear correlation. his is probably due to the information
obtained via the Internet is seen as less credible. he relationship between
people expression and political views are more inluenced by the nature of
the interaction, the quality of information, and the extent to which the
actions can satisfy users (Kushin & Yamamoto, 2013: 71).
Some cases that depict social media support in politics, among
others, Wanda Hamidah dismissal by PAN on September 2014 after she
supported Jokowi as candidate. housands of social media user, especially
in Twitter, encouraged Wanda to stick with her decision and ight against
the authoritarian party (Merdeka.com, 2014). Another example is
when Surabaya city major, Tri Rismaharini, intends to resign after being
repeatedly engaged chaotic politics. he netizen then massively expressed
their support to Rismaharini. PoliticaWave study result that released to
Tempo on February 2014, recorded that nearly 30 thousand conversations
in social media pinning hashtag #SaveRisma (Tempo.co, 2014a).
he two cases above suggests that political issues are no longer in the
realm of the political structure or limited to political parties, but also been
a public consumption. It draws that the people’s support on certain issues
has lowing profusely. When referring to Kushin and Yamamoto (2013)
premise that netizens consider the credibility of information sources, then
Indonesian netizens are likely to respond to information from online news
media that are considered as credible. Anyway, its pressures driven by
netizens do not really afect political policy taken by the relevant political
party, but raised the bubble efect of particular political discourse.
However, there also a case where social media could put pressure on
governmental policy. he act of regional head election (UU Pilkada) case in
2014 for example, the president seemed concerned with the massive critics
to Demokrat Party who walkout in DPR plenary session and gave a way to
DPR passing regional head election conducted by the parliament. Tweet
with hashtag #WelcomeMrLiar to protest SBY became a trending topic
on Tuesday (30/9) morning (Kompas.com, 2014b). Finally, the president
responded by issuing a decree (Perppu) to restore the direct elections. His
decision was based on a belief that around 70 percent Indonesian people
6
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
required direct election. he president also considers the impressions on
Youtube (Tempo.co, 2014b), whereas the plan of moving to parliamentaryelected regional election was a proposal from SBY government. he
estimated 70 percent of popular support stated by SBY was not supported
by scientiic studies facts. While the results study of he Research and
Development Agency (Balitbang) Ministry of Home Afairs reveals that
Indonesian people in general are not ready to implement the direct election
due to negative impacts on society (Bpp.kemendagri.go.id, 2014).
Table 2. Indonesia’s Internet Penetration Position
Source: Public Data Google (2014).
From case above, we can see that Internet and social media are able
to strengthen certain aspiration that evolved in political discourses. he
problem is whether the Internet and social media actually represent the
people’s general will. An overwhelming support to certain issues in Internet
and social media does not necessarily represent the political participation
(Park, 2007). Statistically, the number of Internet users in Indonesia was
not more than 15.8 percent of the total population. Based on geographical
distribution, most of Internet users are from big cities, approximately
75 percent of users are concentrated in Jakarta, 15 percent in the second
largest city, Surabaya, 5 percent spread in other Java areas, and the rest 5
percent in all areas outside Java (Hill & Sen, 2005: 72). hese facts reveal
that even the Internet penetration is raising, the inequality and unequal
distribution of IT still present in Indonesia. herefore, the more powerful
IT in directing public policy and pressing political will, the more likely a
Globalizing Information Technology
7
political process ignores those who unable to access IT. his phenomenon
gives us a clue contemporary Indonesia’s democracy has been reshaped by
the use of IT. However, if this pattern continues, the Indonesian democracy
will facing the challenges of the digital divide, which formed a new culture
that beneit people and organizations who are capable in exploiting the IT,
and on the other hand it harmed to they who can not adapt to the new
culture (Murelli, 2002: 1-5).
UNDER THE ELITE’S SHADOW
With the pattern of IT that gives social media legitimation to highlight
people aspiration, it is interesting to investigate on how the power of
people’s opinion is formed. he most interesting case for this discussion
is the political ‘battle’ between two presidential candidate’s supporters in
2014 presidential election, include political elites who own prominent
media owners. One of Jokowi-JK supporter is Nasdem Party whose the
leader, Surya Paloh, is the owner of Media Indonesia Group. Similarly,
Prabowo-Hatta were supported by Golkar Party where the chairperson
is Bakrie who own Viva News. he tendency of favoring a candidate was
not only from the media that clearly under supporters. Metro Tv, Media
Indonesia, Tempo, Kompas, and Detik.com are known tend to favor
Jokowi-JK, meanwhile Tv One, ANTV, RCTI, and Vivanews likely to
favor Prabowo-Hatta (heglobal-review.com, 2014).
Excesses of news tendency to president candidates then foster political
discourse debate among social media users. hrough its debate, the positive
and negative perceptions about the candidate have formed. For example,
Jokowi positively perceived as a leader comes from the commoners or
creative and clever in coping problems, while Prabowo perceived as the
strong and brave igure. In other side, they also being perceived negatively,
like Jokowi as a comprador and Prabowo as human right ofender. According
to Brants & Votmer in (dalam Graham et al., 2013) such discourse thus
illustrates the increasing of pattern complexity about relationship between
politicians, journalists and netizens in which the political elite and
traditional media cooperating and compete with each other and at the same
time interacting with the public to shape political representation. Karlsson
& Astrom (2013) said that political representation in the Internet and
social media has to be viewed from two aspects. First, the representation
that connected to political parties or politicians. Second, representation
that has no connection to political parties or politicians. However, both
8
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
can afect each other, where the view of ideology or political party will get
a response in social media. Likewise, the growing discourse on social media
will be a consideration in determining the parties and politicians driving
strategy opinion. herefore, political parties or politicians as the actors
behind the strength of opinion on social media are plausible.
However, an opinion on social media does not necessarily become the
driving force that determines the political change. Gamson & Wolfsfeld
(1993) reveal that the central institution for social movement is actually
the traditional mass media such as television, radio, and newspaper, which
has the role to mobilize movement, legitimate mainstream discourses, and
escalate the conlict. hus, a discourse that developed in social media would
become a mainstream if being highlighted by the mass media. herefore,
the role of social media as a democracy pillar should be examined critically,
because the power of public opinion on social media are signiicantly
inluenced by two actors, political parties or politicians and mass media.
Each of them is mutually reinforcing a mainstream discourse. On the
other hand, almost all-major media owned by igures ailiated to political
parties. herefore, there is another perspective that the opinion in the
power of social media cannot be separated from the role of politicians and
mass media. his fact relects the challenges of Indonesia democracy that
reality is increasingly mediated by the development of discourses on the
Internet and mass media where the decisive actors are political authorities
and mass media. In other words, democracy that built through social
media ironically keeps the essence of people sovereignty.
CYBERCONFLICT AND SOCIAL CONFLICT
he netizen involvement in political competition has formed social
cleavages. Mocanu et al. (2013) study about Romanian on-line presidential
campaign in 2011-2012, found that netizen interaction in election event
had growing the ‘volunteer’ and ‘supporters’ groups. Volunteers are a group
that has a well coordinated work and clear objectives, while common
supporters are those who actively reinforce opinions in a discourse. In
Indonesia case, those groups of volunteers and supporters oftenly get
involved in conlicts. Some of them even did not hesitate to provoke
conlicts with racial issues and the smear campaign, so the development
of the conlict in the social media feared would spread on the grassroots.
Conlicts about the presidential election are still considered as normal
and conducive in the real world, but not so in social media. he military
Globalizing Information Technology
9
who provide security during the presidential election thought that the
cyberconlict could harmed the whole society, so their personnels had
been assigned to monitor the conlict in social media (Metrotvnews.com,
2014).
Karatzogianni (2006: 87), stated that there are two types of conlicts
occurred on the Internet, or the so-called cyber conlict, i.e sociopolitical
and ethnoreligious. Cyber conlict that present during 2014 presidential
election is essentially socio-political, because the subject is political
competition, such as political vision, programs, and politicians track
record in each candidate’s camp. However, the conlict was widened to
ethnoreligious dimension. Jokowi-JK proponents are characterized as
moderate Muslims, pro-pluralism, liberal, non-Muslims, and anti-New
Order, whereas Prabowo-Hatta supporters come from the army/military big
family, Islamists, and New Order romanticist. his cleavages is recognized
by PKS chairman, Anis Matta, who perceived it like a separation of
European and American, conservatives for Prabowo-Hatta supporters and
liberals Jokowi-JK supporters (Kompas.com, 2014a).
Cyber conlict that occurs during the 2014 presidential election was
essentially a political battle between political actors, which then engage
broader people in raising popular support. Interestingly, the conlict did
not necessarily come to an end after the presidential election had over.
he cleavage between Jokowi-JK and Prabowo-Hatta supporters then
continues into the shape government supporters and its opponents. he
government system also thrived as if consist of the government parties and
the opposition. herefore, cyberconlict could have serious implications
due it is driven by political actors for their own interests. he discourse
battle to build public opinion has a strategic role in mobilizing real
support in the society. he perpetrators who involved in cyberconlict
carry out information war and spreading propaganda. Parties who are able
to dominate the battle on the Internet have a more favorable position in
the actual conlict (Limnéll, 2014). his pattern seems to be appears in
recent Indonesia political competition and indicate that the globalizing
IT is more likely to take an important role. he democratic competition,
then, increasingly determined by how the parties or politicians and media
elites are capable to utilize IT resources.
10
Sociology and Policy Practices in Contemporary Issues
CONCLUSION
he important role of IT in Indonesia democracy has reconstructed the
concept of democracy itself. he assumption that social media is democracy
pillar should be examined critically. A discourse mainstream that evolved
though Internet and social media turned out to be questioned about its
democratic representation. he privilege of Internet and social media to
give pressure on policies are also at risk of forming a populist democracy
and discriminatory. Political agenda, which brought by political parties or
politicians and mass media in the process, cannot be denied. On the one
hand, the development of IT can indeed serve as a balancing power for the
regime, but on the other hand also has the potential to bring cyberconlict
that can develop into social conlicts and disintegration. he challenge is
how the use of IT really recomposed the meaning of people sovereignty
in political and social life. Internet and social media has been used as
a means of populism, a dichotomy corrupt elite with people (Muddle,
2007), but the discourses orientation are also determined by the political
actors. herefore, the further research should be directed to study of how
the opinion being constructed by the role of politicians and media elites.
In addition, eforts are needed to establish the norms that goes along with
the development of IT, so its destructive efects on democracy could be
minimized.
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