Direct presidential election

Direct presidential election

From Kompas

The present national political development is rather discouraging because of the ongoing conflict between the President and the House of Representatives. The House has issued memorandums of censure in its attempt to unseat President Abdurrahman Wahid while the President will do everything to maintain his position until 2004. Is there a solution which entails the lowest risk to settle this deep-seated conflict?

My suggestion is that the General Elections Commission (KPU) should take the initiative to hold a general election, maybe in 2002 or 2004. This election, involving all the existing parties in the country, will allow the people to directly elect a new president. It will be like a dual election as the voter will cast a ballot for his choice of president and also party. As for presidential nominees, the number must be limited to two only. Hopefully, in this way, the new president will be truly legitimate, and the interest of the parties will continue to be represented in the House.

TAMIM BASUNI

Pekalongan, Central Java