Interesting experiment
According to Merdeka of July 2, Kwik Kian Gie, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), conducted a poll to find out who people thought would be the best candidate for the presidency after the general election.
According to information 10,000 forms were distributed, but there is no information of where these forms were distributed. In Java only, or on other islands, in Jakarta or also in other big cities, to politicians only or also to intellectuals and the man on the street. This information would help determine the value of the poll. The end result is more or less according to the people's choice so far.
Out of the 10,000 forms distributed, Megawati Soekarnoputri tops the list with more than 50 percent or 5,642, and the rest trail far behind. Her brother Guntur Soekarnoputra got 56 votes, but her sister Rachmawati and Guruh Soekarnoputra managed to get only one vote each.
The second most favorite, although with a big difference, is Amien Rais (1,337 votes). Apparently former vice president Try Sutrisno is still in the running with 778 votes (third on the list) and Emil Salim (281 votes) and then surprisingly comes B.J. Habibie with only 239 votes.
Ex-vice president Sudharmono gets two votes and his successor Umar Wirahadikusumah gains one vote only. But former president Soeharto managed to beat his former VPs and collected four votes. His popular eldest daughter Mbak Tutut has to be satisfied with one vote.
I thought that people who frequently were interviewed and/or gave press statements were very popular, but according to the results of this poll the contrary is true. Former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin gets only 65 votes, but Defense/Armed Forces chief Gen. Wiranto gets 69 votes.
The results for other politically popular figures are disappointing, Sri Bintang (18), Mar'ie Muhammad (17), Rudini (16), Siswono Yudhohusodo (13), Gus Dur (12), Ginandjar Kartasasmita (8), Sarwono Kusumaatmadja (8), Muhtar Pakpahan (6) and Edi Sudradjat, who is tipped to be the next Golkar chief, (4).
I cannot judge the political value of this poll, but what Kwik is doing does, in my mind, deserves a warm applause.
Although article 6 of the 1945 Constitution stipulates that only an indigenous Indonesian can become president, I am very happy to see three names of our Chinese brothers on the list. This is a good sign and the beginning of a political development in the right direction. They are, after all, Indonesian citizens and have the same right and duties as Arab descendants and any other Indonesians. The names I see on the list are Kwik Kian Gie (95 votes), Ciputra (one vote) and Mohamad "Bob" Hasan (one vote).
May this development continue in the right direction and soon we will have one undivided, united nation. Why can the Peruvians live with a president of Japanese stock? Why in Suriname can citizens of Javanese descent become ministers and why can a colored man in the USA become a general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? Let's learn from other nations and here in Indonesia we should practice sincerely the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) motto.
SOEGIH ARTO
Jakarta