Elections versus dengue
Elections versus dengue
Indonesians, especially the rank and file of political
parties, have been hit by general election fever. On the other
hand, another fever, dengue, has been plaguing the country and
has claimed hundreds of victims.
The first fever has overwhelmed the leaders of the 24
political parties contesting the elections. Big and old political
parties are striving to increase their vote tallies or at least
maintain their votes from the 1999 general election. While the
new parties are working hard to garner as many votes as possible.
In short, these political parties have high hopes for luring the
147 million eligible voters to vote for their respective
candidates.
In contrast, millions of people across the country are bracing
themselves for dengue fever, which could come and affect their
loved ones. The political parties' hopes of attracting these
people to vote for their parties might hit a stumbling block.
They would prefer to keep themselves informed about the deadly
disease rather than thinking of the elections, which they do not
believe will help save their lives.
Keeping these things in mind, it is the task of not only the
government, but also the political parties to deal with the
disease. The parties could win more votes by making people aware
of the deadly disease, and then could deal with dengue any other
possible viruses that might hit the country in the future, when
their parties win the election.
Campaign promises in the form of economic recovery,
unemployment and wages are still the hallmark of political
parties in Indonesia. It is time for them, as in the Philippines
and the United States, to also address topics like health and
education.
Above all, the expectation is that the 2004 general election
will take place without problems. The suffering of the people as
a result of dengue, which according to health officials will
reach its peak in the next three months (Kompas, March 16),
should not be added to by violence over the elections. Election
contestants and party supporters should abide by their party
leaders' commitment to stage peaceful campaign rallies (The
Jakarta Post, March 10).
M. RUSDI, Jakarta