New Order culture

New Order culture

From Merdeka

Several political figures, both reformists and quasi- reformists wanting to maintain the status quo, have spoken a lot about the criteria for the next president. Among the criteria: experience in the government and a university degree. Some have brought up the matter of gender.

Setting criteria for a prospective president was indeed the habit of the New Order regime, but were tailored to suit one person only, Soeharto. The same was true for the vice president, with the requirement invariably a person acceptable to Soeharto.

For the prospective president as a result of the 1999 general election, the government does not need to determine criteria. It is sufficient to give the greatest freedom to the contending political parties to convince the public of their program. The people will certainly opt for the program comprehensible to them. It constitutes a challenge to the political parties to compose a program that speaks to the people.

The New Order culture's predilection for setting criteria to fit individuals should not be repeated in the presidential election in this reform era.

SJAMSIR A. SOEN

Bekasi, West Java