On direct elections<\/p>\n
If, as you suggest in your June 2 editorial, Indonesia holds a
\ndirect presidential election in 2004, it should use a one person-
\none vote system with 50 percent plus one needed to win.<\/p>\n
This would avoid the anti-Javanese bias of the 1999 general
\nelection and selection of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR). Requiring victory in a minimum proportion of provinces or
\nusing weighted electoral colleges would appeal to federalists,
\nbut it would discriminate against voters in Java. This would be
\ninappropriate in Indonesia, which is a union of equal people, not
\na federation of equal states.<\/p>\n
Some commentators say that Javanese voters would be prejudiced
\nagainst candidates from outside Java and would choose a native
\nJavanese candidate even if the non-Javanese candidate would
\nbetter serve their interests. However, it is also possible that
\nMuslim voters would be prejudiced against non-Muslim candidates,
\nMalays against Papuan candidates or civilians against candidates
\nfrom military backgrounds. This does not mean there should be
\nextra votes for non-Muslims, Papuans and military members.<\/p>\n
In any case, the fear of polarization between Javanese and
\nnon-Javanese voters is exaggerated. Direct elections are highly
\ncompetitive and every candidate will seek support in every
\nprovince of Indonesia. To win 50 percent of total votes a
\ncandidate will need solid support both inside and outside Java.<\/p>\n
Of course, living inside or outside Java affects a person's
\ninterests and therefore their vote. But so does being rich and
\npoor, educated or less educated, urban or rural, young and old,
\nemployer and employee etc. In short, every person is unique. This
\nis precisely why the vote of every person must count equally,
\nwith no group being victimized as voters whose votes count for
\nless than everyone else's.<\/p>\n
JOHN HARGREAVES<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-direct-elections-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }