A helping hand for PDI

Reading the article Govt to help PDI in House representation on page 2 of The Jakarta Post (June 6), I was surprised at the government's move.

In my opinion, an election is meant to find out the people's political conscience, so that the most trusted political organization governs the country according to democratic principles.

During the campaign, each party tries to sell its program to win the people's confidence. A lot of money has been spent and effort made for that purpose.

Now that the election is over, which was held in accordance with the existing regulations, the people's choice is clear. They have put their hope and trust in the dominant group and they eagerly await Golkar to continue governing the country and improve the situation for the benefit of the less fortunate.

In the election, the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) suffered a massive setback. But this is not our concern because the Indonesian people know in which group they can entrust their future with confidence and hope.

The important thing is that an overwhelming number of Indonesians, according to the election results, have put their trust and hope in Golkar. The election was conducted according to the rules agreed upon by all the participants. PDI's massive defeat mirrored the political sentiment of the people. The PDI setback is not the government's responsibility, it is entirely PDI's responsibility.

Now the government is trying to change people's political opinion, by "helping" PDI gain more seats. In my opinion, this is strange because it is as though the government is trying to change the political reality in a way which is very undemocratic.

Perhaps the government is doing this to avoid difficulties in the operational procedures of the House of Representatives (DPR). Why then did we hold an election to find the political conscience of the people and who enjoys the biggest trust of the people?

Procedures can be changed but do not change the political conscience of the people, using ways and means which are illegal and undemocratic. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said: "Indonesians want change through constitutional means." I agree completely with the Secretary-General of the General Election Committee, Suryatna Subrata. He said transferring votes to a defeated party should not be considered as no agreement to this effect had been made before.

Donating votes from Golkar to PDI will not help PDI become politically mature. Let PDI face the reality and work hard to improve their image and most of all let PDI wash their own dirty linen.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta