On running partners<\/p>\n
Perhaps what the general election has already done is to
\nexpose the uncertainties and lack of confidence in the whole
\npolitical spectrum. The country has arrived at a clear message:
\nThat what existed before is not wanted. Here lies the dilemma in
\nchoosing a president and a vice president from candidates that
\nare all (unfortunately) a part of that history -- no matter the
\npairing, the choice will certainly be daunting.<\/p>\n
Every one of the possible candidates is facing an election
\nresult that clearly reflects a rejection of past
\nperformances -- and the realization that politics in Indonesia
\nlacks credibility and personalities of courage and of integrity,
\nwhich is what leadership and government should be all about.<\/p>\n
No one is prepared to commit themselves until after the final
\nelection results, which clearly indicates that the job of being
\nthe president is about personalities rather than ability, vision
\nand dedication. What a desperate state of affairs. Is it going to
\nboil down to a situation where would-be presidents have to rely
\non the pulling power of their running partners because they
\ncannot secure the seat on their own merits?<\/p>\n
This situation is exposing the fragility and hypocrisy
\nof politics that may well force the people to make a decision and
\na choice that is "between the devil and the deep blue sea". The
\nelection result is clearly telling Indonesians that they have a
\nserious problem within their midst, and very soon could well be
\nfacing a number of horse-trading partnerships that have been made
\nonly to secure votes, as opposed to what the country really
\nneeds.<\/p>\n
This uncertainty could well create a partnership that is built
\non convenience rather than unity, and that is no different to the
\nAbdurrahman Wahid\/Megawati Soekarnoputri scenario of 1999. There
\nneeds to be a total rethink about this presidential election
\nbefore this country plunges itself into coalitions that are not
\nworth the paper they are written on.<\/p>\n
DAVID WALLIS
\nMedan, North Sumatra<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-running-partners-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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