Three parties press ahead for direct presidential vote<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Leading figures from three major parties on Friday pressed ahead
\nwith their demands for a direct presidential election in 2004
\ndespite objections from the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
The PDI Perjuangan, chaired by President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, has appealed to political leaders to delay direct
\npresidential elections until 2009.<\/p>\n
However, a number of leading figures from Golkar, the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), and the National Awakening Party (PKB)
\nsaid the commitment to democracy and the people's sovereignty
\nmust be top of the list of priorities.<\/p>\n
\"Should we delay the implementation of direct presidential
\nelections until 2009? This seriously concerns us,\" Golkar's
\ndeputy secretary-general Rully Chairul Azwar told a discussion at
\nthe House building here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the PKB faction in the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR), Yusuf Muhammad, another speaker at the
\ndiscussion, underlined the nation's commitment to democracy.<\/p>\n
Yusuf suggested that the political elite should avoid
\nmanipulating the hopes of the public regarding presidential
\nelections.<\/p>\n
Despite what the PDI Perjuangan said, Yusuf claimed most
\npeople in the country were ready for direct presidential
\nelections.<\/p>\n
\"Please stop underestimating the people,\" said Yusuf,
\nfamiliarly known as Gus Yus.<\/p>\n
Lukman Hakim Saifuddin of the Muslim-based PPP added that when
\nall Assembly factions, including the PDI Perjuangan, endorsed the
\nproposal for direct presidential elections last year, he thought
\nit would be effective for the 2004 general election.<\/p>\n
The PDI Perjuangan's resistance to direct presidential
\nelections, Lukman said, would undermine the agreement.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati said that direct
\npresidential elections could be implemented in 2009, citing the
\nunpreparedness of the public as the reason behind the delay.<\/p>\n
Megawati, as quoted by PDI Perjuangan secretary-general
\nSutjipto, claimed that the people were not psychologically ready
\nfor a direct presidential election in 2004.<\/p>\n
According to Sutjipto, Megawati cited clashes by
\ndemonstrators, especially during Assembly annual sessions, as a
\nsign of the people's immaturity.<\/p>\n
With its 181 seats in the 700-strong Assembly, the PDI
\nPerjuangan will play a major role during the Annual Session in
\nAugust, which is expected to endorse a fourth batch of
\nconstitutional amendments.<\/p>\n
Another deputy secretary-general of Golkar, Andi Mattalata,
\nemphasized that the number of seats was a decisive factor in the
\npolitical process in the Assembly.<\/p>\n
\"No matter how brilliant an idea is, the decisive factor is
\npolitical strength. Let the people examine the process in the
\nAssembly,\" Andi added.<\/p>\n
All four legislators who spoke during the discussion were
\nmembers of the Assembly's ad hoc committee for the amendment of
\nthe Constitution (PAH 1).<\/p>\n
The Assembly endorsed a direct presidential election in
\nOctober last year, promising to give the people a chance to
\ndirectly cast their votes for their choices of president and vice
\npresident.<\/p>\n
The legislators, however, failed to reach agreement on what
\nwould happen if none of the running mates collected more than
\nhalf the national vote.<\/p>\n
There are two alternatives outlined by the ad hoc committee:
\nto give the Assembly authority to select the winning candidates
\nor to organize run-off election.<\/p>\n
\"Until today, there is no agreement regarding this issue,\"
\nsaid Lukman.<\/p>\n
During a series of discussions in the ad hoc committee, the
\nPDI Perjuangan appeared to favor letting the Assembly elect the
\npresident.<\/p>\n
The PDI Perjuangan seems to enjoy the support of the 38-strong
\nmilitary\/police faction and the 53-strong Regional
\nRepresentatives faction (FUD).<\/p>",
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