Elections in Indonesia<\/p>\n
With the final round of the presidential election around the
\ncorner, it is perhaps the right time to compare the pros and cons
\nof two methods employed in electing the CEO of a country: A
\n\"direct\" election -- as is practiced in the U.S. and France and
\nsome other countries -- and the indirect method -- as practiced
\nby Great Britain and India -- wherein the members of parliament
\nchoose the CEO. It is really admirable that Indonesia has chosen
\nthe very good method of direct election with the motto, Presiden
\npilihan rakyat (a president of the people's choice).<\/p>\n
In the first round, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri and Wiranto were in a tight race and many predicted
\na direct confrontation between the two ex-generals (Susilo and
\nWiranto) in the runoff. But Megawati came in second, and the
\nresults of the final round between Susilo and Megawati are still
\nwide open, as per the political pundits.<\/p>\n
One thing surprises me: Unlike in the U.S., where the vice
\npresidential and presidential candidates of both the Democratic
\nand Republican party are from the same party, the picture here is
\ntotally different. In the U.S., the vice presidential candidate
\nis chosen more on regional considerations. They are generally
\nfrom an area where the presidential candidate may lack support.<\/p>\n
But in Indonesia, there is total porosity across the party
\nlines. I am honestly wondering what the losing \"running mate\"
\nwill do later. Will they return to their old party meekly? Will
\ntheir old party accept them back, or call them a traitor? Or will
\nthey launch a new party, as Indian politicians often do? I feel
\nthat if Susilo and Megawati had selected their running mates on
\nregional considerations rather than party ones, it would have
\nbeen more logical.<\/p>\n
One thing is very clear. The new president will enjoy the
\nconfidence of the people and will not be subjected to any horse
\ntrading that goes on, for example, in India where the factions of
\nthe coalition government jockey for prime slots in the cabinet.
\nOr, what happened when then president Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid
\nwas removed from office and Megawati was elected.<\/p>\n
To that extent, I admire the people\/politicians of Indonesia
\nwho were behind the decision to hold two-tier direct elections.
\nWhoever wins on Sept. 20 will rule the country with confidence
\nand with the full authority to do what he or she thinks is good
\nfor the country.<\/p>\n
K.B. KALE, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/elections-in-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }