On road to democracy
On road to democracy
The Dawn, Asia News Network, Karachi
With former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono poised to win by
defeating the present incumbent Megawati Soekarnoputri in
Indonesia's first direct presidential polls, the world's largest
Muslim nation is all set to enter a political era that should,
hopefully, see the consolidation of its fledgling democracy.
Indeed, these polls, as well as the parliamentary elections
held last April, have proved beyond doubt that Indonesia, which
until 1998 had been under military rule for more than three
decades, is well on its way to a democratic future.
What was truly remarkable about the recent polls was that
despite being conducted under Indonesia's complex geographical
make-up and simmering political discontent in parts of the
country, the voter turnout was around 80 percent, and the polls
were termed free and fair by international monitors.
This was a tribute to the efforts of Indonesia's election
commission whose responsibilities included the training of more
than five million poll workers and disseminating information on
voting rules to a huge electorate.
Having come so far from the days of dictatorship, are
Indonesians making a mistake by voting for a former military man
and the Golkar party of general Soeharto who, as a result of a
popular uprising, was forced to give up his iron-fisted rule six
years ago? Certainly not.
The years following the last general elections held in 1999
saw important constitutional reforms that should make the task of
Susilo easier. For one, being directly elected to his post would
mean that Indonesia's next leader would not have to depend too
much on the support of political parties, none of which will have
a clear majority in the new parliament anyway.
Elected by popular vote, he would be in a position to effect
his agenda without the constant fear of being unseated haunting
him. This is just as well, as his own Democrat Party did not turn
in a particularly impressive performance last April.
Susilo has won the majority largely because of his image as a
man of principles and one who is committed to creating new jobs
for the people, and doing whatever it takes to eradicate the
rampant corruption in the country.
He is also fortunate that he will not have to answer to the
military because the new, expanded assembly will comprise only
elected members. There will be no room for members of the armed
forces who were previously allotted 20 percent of the seats.
Against this backdrop, Susilo -- who has proved that it is
entirely possible for a military man to embark on a political
career after retirement and win the mandate of the people --
should be well-placed to make good on his promises.
Indonesia is in the throes of massive corruption and
unemployment, while much of the political alienation in provinces
like Aceh and Irian Jaya can be attributed to the economic
marginalization there, and the consequent dissatisfaction among
the people.
These grievances must be removed if Indonesia is to move
forward on the path of progress and stability. Susilo will also
have the difficult task of containing religious extremists who
have been responsible for a number of militant acts inside the
country in recent years.
The challenges ahead are then formidable, and it will take
mature political thinking, besides courageous leadership
qualities, on Susilo's part to deal with them effectively.