Election by the people

Election by the people

Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid was cheered when he
said recently that his government would propose that the next
president and vice-president be elected directly by the people in
2004. The reason for the applause he drew was obvious. Megawati
Sukarnoputri did not become president although her party won last
year's parliamentary poll. She was elected vice-president, while
Wahid, who was fielded by a coalition of small Islamic parties,
was elected president.

Making the president and vice-president directly-elected
officials would put more power in the hands of the voters and
curtail the influence which legislators enjoy now. And if they
win a clear majority in elections, they will be able to govern
with a strong mandate. That cannot but be good for Indonesia.

Of course, it is ultimately Indonesians who must decide what
kind of presidency they prefer. But foreign well wishers would
hope that any changes which are made will succeed, with success
depending on the ability of a mature electorate to vote, not on
the basis of narrow and parochial interests, but with the needs
of Indonesia as a whole at heart. That will take some time.

-- The Straits Times, Singapore