A helping hand for PDI

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