Reflection on campaigns<\/p>\n
At least at the preliminary stage, there is good reason to
\nbelieve the country will have a peaceful and democratic legisla
\ntive election on April 5. The first six of the total 22 days of
\nthe campaign period starting March 11 have proceeded smoothly.<\/p>\n
People in the street deserve credit, because, as in the 1999
\npolls, they have proved they have political maturity. This is
\ndespite the fact that many, if not most, are disappointed at what
\nlittle progress has been made in terms of economy recovery and
\nlaw enforcement.<\/p>\n
Their discontent at having to cope with ongoing hardships
\nseems to be reflected in their indifference toward the ongoing
\nindoor campaigns and toward supporters of the 24 political par
\nties rallying on the streets. They are not interested in discus
\nsions with politicians, in fact most find dangdut singers of much
\nmore interest than top politicians like President Megawati Soe
\nkarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Hopefully their wisdom and patience will endure despite possi
\nble attempts to inflame their frustrations.<\/p>\n
The current government can say anything about the progress it
\nhas made in the last three years -- from improvement in macroeco
\nnomic indicators, like the stability of the rupiah and low infla
\ntion, the return of foreign investment, the betterment of securi
\nty and order -- but people have their own ways of measuring the
\ngovernment's performance. For them, worsening living conditions
\nas reflected in increased layoffs and the increasing prices of
\ndaily necessities are very real experiences.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, political parties merely repeat the prom
\nises they made five years ago, such as enriching the nation. They
\nshould realize that people are aware that many of our politicians
\nare too busy enriching themselves rather than working for the
\nsake of the people.<\/p>\n
It is interesting to note that campaigners do seem to realize
\nthat people are becoming bored with them. Theses days they invar
\niably make short speeches before introducing singers to perform.<\/p>\n
Compared to the festive 1999 general election -- the first
\ndemocratic election held after the end of Soeharto's 32-year rule
\n-- far more endurance is required by the people of this nation
\nthis time around. Just two months after the legislative election,
\nthe country will face another campaign period as it will have its
\nfirst direct presidential election on July 5. If nobody wins a
\nsimple majority, a runoff will be held on Sept. 20.<\/p>\n
It will be historic, because for the first time since inde
\npendence in 1945, citizens will have the final say on who will
\nlead them for another five years. The whole electoral process
\nwill, however, be prone to violence and political disturbances.<\/p>\n
The democratization and reform process that was launched with
\nsuch gusto after the Soeharto regime's collapse in May 1998
\nstarted to stagnate not long after it began. Many people say that
\nthe nation is in no better shape now despite having a democrati
\ncally elected government. However, we should remember that the
\nnation had to start from scratch to rebuild the country after
\nbeing devastated in virtually all aspects of life during Soehar
\nto's leadership.<\/p>\n
The government will not be able to work alone in reviving the
\ncountry due to the magnitude of problems. All levels of society
\nshould join hands and not just wait for a miracle to happen, nor
\nwait until the government makes a mistake and then criticize its
\nfailure without offering an alternative solution. The nation
\nneeds a fundamental overhaul.<\/p>\n
Therefore we call all those contesting the elections, espe
\ncially parties that took part in the 1999 general election, to
\nrecognize the people's frame of mind. Instead of repeating the
\nsame promises, it would far better for politicians to openly
\nadmit that they have failed to deliver on their promises and
\nexplain the reasons for that failure.<\/p>\n
An open apology for one's own failures would be more appealing
\nto a people who have gone through much hardship and disappoint
\nment than finding scapegoats for all ailments. So far no politi
\ncian has made such an admittance, with most of them appear to be
\nready to blame the Megawati administration, as if they are
\ntotally blameless. For her part, Megawati and her supporters tend
\nto be defensive and lack the courage to acknowledge her
\nshortcomings.<\/p>\n
People will follow someone only after that person can convince
\nthem they are doing their best for the nation. Do not blame poor
\neducation for people's lack of interest in electoral campaigns.
\nPeople realize it is useless to trust politicians who shamelessly
\nact like heroes yet have dismal track records.<\/p>\n
We hope our politicians will find the courage to bow their
\nheads and admit to their mistakes, and if they doubt that they
\nwill be able to deliver on their promises then they should
\nrefrain from creating uncertainty within society by not making
\nsuch promises in the first place.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/reflection-on-campaigns-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}