A feast with distinction<\/p>\n
Whatever one may think of the May 29 general election -- or
\n"feast of democracy", as officials fondly call it -- there is no
\ndenying that it will be unlike any previous election, and not
\njust because of its crucial nature or huge cost.<\/p>\n
In the run-up to past elections, speculation has always
\ncentered on how big a margin would the ruling Golkar party win
\nby. And win, it certainly would. But by what percentage of votes?
\nIf it was much lower than 70 percent, one could expect changes in
\nregional bureaucracies where Golkar losses occurred.<\/p>\n
Voter turnout was much less topical. Since the aggressive
\ndrive by both government officials and election contestants to
\ndiscourage abstention from the polls among a largely under-
\neducated population, a high turnout of around 90 percent of the
\nvoting-age population has always been assured.<\/p>\n
"Golput" followers -- those who prefer not to use their right
\nto vote as a way to express dissatisfaction with the system --
\nwere a small minority and, therefore, considered more or less
\nharmless.<\/p>\n
But this year, something unusual is happening. The fundamental
\nquestion which people are asking themselves no longer concerns
\nGolkar's winning margin but by how much will the number of people
\nexercising the Golput option grow?<\/p>\n
Although a high turnout is still expected, this question is
\nfar from irrelevant. On the contrary, the plethora of official
\nwarnings that encouraging people not to vote is
\n"unconstitutional" and punishable by law proves that those in
\ncharge of the elections are very much concerned about this year's
\nGolput "vote".<\/p>\n
And not without reason. Several polls held in parts of Java
\nindicate that the number of Golput followers has grown
\nsubstantially over the past five years, especially among young
\nand better-educated voters, including, presumably, many of the 20
\nmillion first-time voters. Disillusion with the system is
\nsupposedly a major reason for this.<\/p>\n
A second question that is very much on people's minds concerns
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted leader of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI). The only major policy statement she has
\nmade in connection with the general election campaign has
\ninstructed her followers not to campaign.<\/p>\n
But a far more relevant question remains unanswered: What will
\nshe tell her followers to do when balloting begins? It is well
\nknown that Megawati still has much support among the PDI's grass
\nroots members and sympathizers. Her word is expected to help
\ndecide whether they will take part in this year's "feast of
\ndemocracy". In other words, her final stance regarding the
\nelection will help determine the size of the Golput vote.<\/p>\n
Many observers see her silence as a smart move which, if
\nnothing else, increases her political stature. Honestly, one must
\nadmit that this is among the most intriguing questions. And
\nmillions are waiting for an answer.<\/p>\n
There are, of course, other interesting aspects of this year's
\nelection. There is, for example, the unrest and incidents which
\npreceded the campaign period. In addition, segments of the
\nNahdtlatul Ulama Moslem organization have publicly declared they
\nwill boycott the election. Then, there are acts of daring
\ndefiance in the streets and in court by young dissidents.<\/p>\n
All this means that fundamental changes have occurred in
\nIndonesian society. We believe, though, that there is little to
\nworry about as long as we understand that the developments around
\nus are caused by successful development.<\/p>\n
The important thing to do in coming years is to recognize that
\nthese new ideas and aspirations must be accommodated. As long as
\nwe can muster the wisdom to make the necessary adjustments --
\nadjustment, after all, is a natural companion to growth -- we are
\nconfident that this phase will lead to a better tomorrow.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-feast-with-distinction-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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