Fear-free elections

Fear-free elections

President Soeharto has instructed the Indonesian Institute of
Sciences to examine the electoral system and the social role of
the Armed Forces in Indonesia. The President made this demand
when installing Dr. Soefyan T. Sauri as the Chief of the Research
Institute.

As an Indonesian citizen, I find this instruction from the
President very positive. I hope that the next elections will be
carried out better. I would like to make some suggestions:

* Every contesting party should have its own presidential
candidate.

* All leaders of the contesting parties should be free from
pressures -- both internal and external -- fear and fame seeking.

* There should be a third party who can act wisely, is
prudent, honest and impartial. It is advisable that this third
party consists of religious figures.

* Election day should be made a holiday.

It should be noted that general elections need large funds,
time and energy. The elections must be conducted efficiently and
conspiracy must be avoided.

MAKMUR ABUBAKAR

Jakarta