{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1446782,
        "msgid": "electing-the-president-1447893297",
        "date": "1999-07-14 00:00:00",
        "title": "Electing the president",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Electing the president I am concerned by the recent development of democratization in this country, which is indicating an unruly process. It is well known that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is believed to have won the recent elections, not by an absolute margin but with about 35 percent to 40 percent of the vote.",
        "content": "<p>Electing the president<\/p>\n<p>I am concerned by the recent development of democratization in<br>\nthis country, which is indicating an unruly process. It is well<br>\nknown that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI<br>\nPerjuangan) is believed to have won the recent elections, not by<br>\nan absolute margin but with about 35 percent to 40 percent of the<br>\nvote.<\/p>\n<p>This will mean that the road to the presidency for Megawati is<br>\nstill bumpy because winning the recent general election does not<br>\nautomatically mean winning the presidency. People should remember<br>\nand abide by the 1945 Constitution that the president is only<br>\nelected by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). The recent<br>\npolls were not to elect the president, but only to elect members<br>\nof the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n<p>And the act of Megawati's supporters to place bloody<br>\nfingerprints in a show of support for their leader is<br>\nregrettable.<\/p>\n<p>November 1999, if the Special Session is not set earlier, will<br>\nbe the time to give support and pressure to members of the MPR to<br>\nelect Megawati as president.<\/p>\n<p>I am concerned about two things. First, thumb-print movement.<br>\nWhat is it for? Is it necessary to do something in such an<br>\nemotional manner? Can't we act in a more mature and rational way?<br>\nThe argument that this act was done by ignorant people in society<br>\ndoes not work; the elite of PDI Perjuangan should have educated<br>\nthem not to be so emotional. Their act may only turn out to be<br>\ncounterproductive not only to themselves, but most importantly to<br>\nthe nation's process of democratization. The elite in PDI<br>\nPerjuangan should obviously be held responsible for this kind of<br>\nirrational movement and its possible damaging result to the<br>\nnation.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, bringing and involving a mass movement as a gesture<br>\nof pressure may invite other groups to do likewise. Who will<br>\nguarantee there will be no clashes between the opposing groups?<\/p>\n<p>H.W. PIENANDORO<\/p>\n<p>Bogor, West Java<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/electing-the-president-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}