Crossing the bridge to democracy<\/p>\n
The threat that the planned general election will not be held
\n(on June 7) seems to send the signal that both our bureaucrats
\nand our reformists have lost interest in the fate of this
\ncountry. It is true that, as intellectual Nurcholish Madjid has
\nsaid, the general elections won't be able to solve all our
\nproblems immediately. Nevertheless, it provides a starting point
\nfor us to work toward softening the crash, since the numerous
\nadversities we are facing have their origins in a legitimate
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
It may be true that there are many doors leading out of the
\ngloom, but the first available one seems to be the general
\nelection. For this reason, those of us who want to see change
\nmust try to convince others of the vital importance of holding
\nthe elections. A failure to do so would only benefit those who
\nwant to see the status quo preserved.<\/p>\n
The nation must use what little time is left to try to safely
\ncross that bridge to democracy called the general election. The
\npossibility that those given power will continue to disregard the
\nmandate of the constitution even after the elections are over is
\nsomething that must be dealt with in earnest later. Only by
\ntaking this steadfast attitude can we make would-be destroyers
\nthink twice before enacting their intentions.<\/p>\n
Before we come to all that, though, once again, let's go
\nthrough the elections first. We must be patient -- as patient as
\nthe farmer in the field who waits for his seeds to grow into
\ntrees and bear fruit.<\/p>\n
-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/crossing-the-bridge-to-democracy-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }