2004 general elections

2004 general elections

From Koran Tempo

President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said in her address at the party's plenary meeting on Dec. 25, 2003 that the 2004 general elections would proceed smoothly.

The President's statement was not unfounded as preparations for the upcoming elections have run as scheduled. This means that there is no need to worry unnecessarily about the elections.

In this context, the statement of the Indonesian Military's Commander Gen. Endriarto Sutarto that several groups are trying to foil the upcoming elections must be taken as a standard warning inasmuch as everywhere under the sun there are people that will boycott a general election.

The government, in this case the Indonesian Military, must be properly prepared for any contingencies.

I believe there is only a very small number of people that will stay away from the upcoming elections. Today, our people are more mature politically, which will ensure that the upcoming elections will proceed smoothly as scheduled.

ANIZ HZ Jakarta