Election anomalies

Normally a majority of about 10 million popular votes and 40 seats in the House of Representatives would provide the winning political party in the general election the right to form a government and its top candidate to fill the country's highest post as president. Regrettably it is not so in this country, where the process may drag on into the People's Consultative Assembly, where a two thirds majority is required after appointees and members of the Indonesian Military join the ordeal.

This provision is a New Order legacy to secure a victory for the incumbent, as was the case in the last six general elections. The appointment of additional members from what are known as the functional groups and provinces allowed power holders (in the past) to participate in vote-buying and intimidation by the losing incumbent. Hopefully the trap is not working anymore. The sad fact is that today only a handful of people refuse to listen to the devil's whispers about how to quickly become rich. Most are corrupt. In theory, the government has suffered a technical knockout defeat and its chief agent should stop going around selling cheap wares and looking for coalition partners without shame. Don't they see that the ball is in the Bull's court, so to speak? Why not acknowledge defeat? All this calls for a requirement that future presidential elections be held directly by the people. Such a practice would be less cumbersome, less costly, and more democratic, allowing no time for the evil- spirited to conceive ugly schemes, as demonstrated by Golkar's chairman. If there are attempts to exclude the white-mouthed bulls from a coalition government, a confrontation with the majority of 10 million supporters could be the consequence. The political orchestra is still playing, but its conductor must be replaced since people do not want the perpetuation of the old regime's mentality and interests.

However, any new government should prioritize the revitalization of the people's economy and allow agrobusiness industries to earn revenue in foreign currencies. Addressing the national debt burden will prove to be a gigantic assignment. This responsibility must be shouldered by a strong coalition. In the final analysis, the majority of the people are not so much interested in who will take top spot in the administration, but in who can provide for the people's welfare.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta