On road to democracy<\/p>\n
The Dawn, Asia News Network, Karachi<\/p>\n
With former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono poised to win by
\ndefeating the present incumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri in
\nIndonesia's first direct presidential polls, the world's largest
\nMuslim nation is all set to enter a political era that should,
\nhopefully, see the consolidation of its fledgling democracy.<\/p>\n
Indeed, these polls, as well as the parliamentary elections
\nheld last April, have proved beyond doubt that Indonesia, which
\nuntil 1998 had been under military rule for more than three
\ndecades, is well on its way to a democratic future.<\/p>\n
What was truly remarkable about the recent polls was that
\ndespite being conducted under Indonesia's complex geographical
\nmake-up and simmering political discontent in parts of the
\ncountry, the voter turnout was around 80 percent, and the polls
\nwere termed free and fair by international monitors.<\/p>\n
This was a tribute to the efforts of Indonesia's election
\ncommission whose responsibilities included the training of more
\nthan five million poll workers and disseminating information on
\nvoting rules to a huge electorate.<\/p>\n
Having come so far from the days of dictatorship, are
\nIndonesians making a mistake by voting for a former military man
\nand the Golkar party of general Soeharto who, as a result of a
\npopular uprising, was forced to give up his iron-fisted rule six
\nyears ago? Certainly not.<\/p>\n
The years following the last general elections held in 1999
\nsaw important constitutional reforms that should make the task of
\nSusilo easier. For one, being directly elected to his post would
\nmean that Indonesia's next leader would not have to depend too
\nmuch on the support of political parties, none of which will have
\na clear majority in the new parliament anyway.<\/p>\n
Elected by popular vote, he would be in a position to effect
\nhis agenda without the constant fear of being unseated haunting
\nhim. This is just as well, as his own Democrat Party did not turn
\nin a particularly impressive performance last April.<\/p>\n
Susilo has won the majority largely because of his image as a
\nman of principles and one who is committed to creating new jobs
\nfor the people, and doing whatever it takes to eradicate the
\nrampant corruption in the country.<\/p>\n
He is also fortunate that he will not have to answer to the
\nmilitary because the new, expanded assembly will comprise only
\nelected members. There will be no room for members of the armed
\nforces who were previously allotted 20 percent of the seats.<\/p>\n
Against this backdrop, Susilo -- who has proved that it is
\nentirely possible for a military man to embark on a political
\ncareer after retirement and win the mandate of the people --
\nshould be well-placed to make good on his promises.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is in the throes of massive corruption and
\nunemployment, while much of the political alienation in provinces
\nlike Aceh and Irian Jaya can be attributed to the economic
\nmarginalization there, and the consequent dissatisfaction among
\nthe people.<\/p>\n
These grievances must be removed if Indonesia is to move
\nforward on the path of progress and stability. Susilo will also
\nhave the difficult task of containing religious extremists who
\nhave been responsible for a number of militant acts inside the
\ncountry in recent years.<\/p>\n
The challenges ahead are then formidable, and it will take
\nmature political thinking, besides courageous leadership
\nqualities, on Susilo's part to deal with them effectively.<\/p>",
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