Democracy is for democrats<\/p>\n
Democracy is for democrats not for autocrats let alone
\nbureaucrats or technocrats. But who knows times may have changed.
\nA great bureaucrat and famous technocrat like President Habibie
\nhas touched on something that only true democrats would have
\nraised in their speech.<\/p>\n
When addressing members of the National Elections Committee he
\nappealed to the newly formed as well as old political parties to
\n\"accept gallantly whatever result the general elections bring.\"<\/p>\n
He meant that whatever votes each party might collect, it
\nshould accept the result with an open heart, implying that
\nsometimes you win and other times you lose in politics.<\/p>\n
Frankly speaking, this is a new voice and a different
\nphilosophy of power-sharing. The big question is now, 'Does he
\nhimself believe what he says? Would he accept it if the
\nfunctional group (Golkar) gets less than expected? In that case,
\nmany of the present incumbents may well have to step down,
\nincluding Habibie himself. Or are Golkar's strategists such as
\nAkbar Tandjung so sure that they will win the elections with at
\nleast 50 percent of the votes.<\/p>\n
Sure, Golkar's front is ready to accept victory based on their
\nsuperior infrastructure in rural areas and on their unlimited and
\nuncontrolled resources, although this has been denied. A reader
\nhas rightly commented that Golkar would deserve to receive a \"red
\ncard\" were it a soccer match. The present problems and crises are
\nthe result of Golkar's mistakes and political misbehavior leading
\nto economic malaise and social upheavals. Just taking part in the
\nelection and wishing to win should be seen as a moral sin. But in
\npolitics such things seem not to exist so long as you can grab
\npower and stay there. Golkar's strategists evidently do not see
\nthat losing or winning confronts Golkar with unsurmountable
\nproblems for there are no such things as seasonal democrats or
\ninstant democrats.<\/p>\n
Now that it calls itself a political party, Golkar... Golkar
\nwill function more effectively as state machinery and a state
\nparty, thus further away from a truly democratic party. It will
\nlater tolerate nothing that will not strengthen its hold on power
\nand legislation.<\/p>\n
Already there is enough proof that its hold on the judiciary
\nis strong. Moreover, mental change in just one or two years from
\nauthoritarian bureaucracy to democratic way of life is not
\npossible.<\/p>\n
Democracy is for true democrats not the half-hearted. In a
\nsense, the head of state's call on the political parties to
\naccept the election results realistically and not protest against
\nthem deserves praise, if it is not a ploy to distract attention
\nand cover up Golkar's true strategy of winning the contest.<\/p>\n
And what about those excluded from the contests only because
\nof trifling administrative shortcomings? In a democracy every
\nparty has the right to take part in the elections.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/democracy-is-for-democrats-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }