Coalition dilemma?

Coalition dilemma?

From Media Indonesia

The first round of the presidential election enabled
Indonesians to exercise their sovereignty by directly voting for
their favorite candidate. Now the General Elections Commission
has announced the two candidates for the second round of the
election.

This event suggests a fundamental change in the execution of
people's right to elect their leaders, which is now done directly
instead of through their representatives, as was the case for
over 30 years under the New Order regime.

Now in the reform era, the first round of the presidential
election offered five pairs of presidential and vice presidential
candidates. In the coming runoff, only two of the five pairs of
candidates are remaining.

The second round, scheduled for Sept. 20, is only about a
month away. Media reports describe how political parties are
seeking coalitions with one another, while other parties are
remaining neutral.

The question is: By making such moves, where are these parties
lading the population? Voters elect their leaders by using their
conscience and reasoning, whereas the parties employ their
political machinery and public figures. Here lies the dilemma of
coalitions.

PURWANTO KITUNG

Jakarta