Honest and fair election

Honest and fair election

From Republika

President B.J. Habibie is called a "transitional president"
because he took over after former president Soeharto stepped down
from office on May 21, 1998. He has also been the target of some
unfavorable comments. Many, however, have praised and supported
him. It is not usual to have positive and negative comments about
him, something which also occurred during the New Order regime.

Irrespective of this positive and negative attitude, as
someone supporting total reform on a constitutional and gradual
basis, I think it is realistic that we do not expect much from
Habibie's administration, which will be relatively short. This is
especially true considering that he inherits a very bad situation
with the state suffering through the ongoing economic crisis. It
is impossible for him to quickly remedy this condition. It is
good enough if Habibie's administration manages to prevent the
present condition from worsening and to organize a democratic,
honest and fair general election on schedule.

If he does organize a democratic, honest and fair general
election, Habibie may find a place of honor in the annals of
Indonesian history. The case of Nicaraguan president Ortega may
serve as a good example. Ortega's administration failed to
improve the economy of the country. As a result there were
rebellions to topple the administration. Yet, Ortega organized
the 1989 elections, which he lost to his main rival, Ms. Chamoro.
After losing power, Ortega was denounced by his political foes.

However, in a ceremony marking the inauguration of the new
president, Ortega won the sympathy of his political foes and the
masses. It was revenge of a sort for his election loss. In his
parting address to the Nicaraguan people he said, among other
things, "I admit to having made mistakes to the disadvantage of
the people during my term as president. That's why I lost the
election. However, one thing must be put on record in Nicaraguan
history. I have lost in a democratically and fairly held general
election."

Hearing these words, Ortega's political opponents
spontaneously came to him and hugged him, saying, "You are right
and you will go down in the annals of Nicaraguan history as
someone who upheld democracy."

SAID SALEH

Tanggamus, Lampung