Election by the people<\/p>\n
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid was cheered when he
\nsaid recently that his government would propose that the next
\npresident and vice-president be elected directly by the people in
\n2004. The reason for the applause he drew was obvious. Megawati
\nSukarnoputri did not become president although her party won last
\nyear's parliamentary poll. She was elected vice-president, while
\nWahid, who was fielded by a coalition of small Islamic parties,
\nwas elected president.<\/p>\n
Making the president and vice-president directly-elected
\nofficials would put more power in the hands of the voters and
\ncurtail the influence which legislators enjoy now. And if they
\nwin a clear majority in elections, they will be able to govern
\nwith a strong mandate. That cannot but be good for Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Of course, it is ultimately Indonesians who must decide what
\nkind of presidency they prefer. But foreign well wishers would
\nhope that any changes which are made will succeed, with success
\ndepending on the ability of a mature electorate to vote, not on
\nthe basis of narrow and parochial interests, but with the needs
\nof Indonesia as a whole at heart. That will take some time.<\/p>\n
-- The Straits Times, Singapore<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/election-by-the-people-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }