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