Indigenous candidates<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
The heated debate over candidates running for president and
\nvice president in the drafting of the presidential election bill,
\nsuch as the arguments for and against the inclusion of
\neducational levels and the exclusion of convicted felons, is
\nnormal. This maneuvering still carries positive weight,
\nparticularly in the framework of ensuring the quality of the
\nwould-be president and vice president.<\/p>\n
This political manipulation, leading to bargaining and
\ninvolving short-term gains, can be quickly solved through dialogs
\nand even compromises. Meanwhile, a matter of greater importance,
\nrequiring profound discussion, concerns the elimination of the
\nword "indigenous" from Article 6 of the 1945 Constitution,
\nresulting from its third amendment.<\/p>\n
The campaign to remove this word was initiated by some groups
\nat the House of Representatives and non-governmental
\norganizations influenced by foreign elements, for reasons of
\nequal rights and antidiscriminatory treatment. The exclusion of
\nthe word has raised fear among Indonesians who long for national
\nleaders with a proper identity, legitimacy and legality: Born in
\nIndonesia, becoming an Indonesian citizen and devoting most of
\ntheir lives to the nation and the state.<\/p>\n
In order to avoid ambiguity in the debate over making this
\narticle a reference to determine the criteria for candidacy, the
\ngovernment should clearly define the words "indigenous Indonesian
\ncitizen" in the presidential election bill. It should be defined,
\nfor instance, whether the word "indigenous" applies to Indonesian
\ncitizens who belong to the third generation with no blood
\nrelatives in their country of origin.<\/p>\n
ANDI SEPTIAN
\nBekasi, West Java<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indigenous-candidates-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}