On running partners

On running partners

Perhaps what the general election has already done is to
expose the uncertainties and lack of confidence in the whole
political spectrum. The country has arrived at a clear message:
That what existed before is not wanted. Here lies the dilemma in
choosing a president and a vice president from candidates that
are all (unfortunately) a part of that history -- no matter the
pairing, the choice will certainly be daunting.

Every one of the possible candidates is facing an election
result that clearly reflects a rejection of past
performances -- and the realization that politics in Indonesia
lacks credibility and personalities of courage and of integrity,
which is what leadership and government should be all about.

No one is prepared to commit themselves until after the final
election results, which clearly indicates that the job of being
the president is about personalities rather than ability, vision
and dedication. What a desperate state of affairs. Is it going to
boil down to a situation where would-be presidents have to rely
on the pulling power of their running partners because they
cannot secure the seat on their own merits?

This situation is exposing the fragility and hypocrisy
of politics that may well force the people to make a decision and
a choice that is "between the devil and the deep blue sea". The
election result is clearly telling Indonesians that they have a
serious problem within their midst, and very soon could well be
facing a number of horse-trading partnerships that have been made
only to secure votes, as opposed to what the country really
needs.

This uncertainty could well create a partnership that is built
on convenience rather than unity, and that is no different to the
Abdurrahman Wahid/Megawati Soekarnoputri scenario of 1999. There
needs to be a total rethink about this presidential election
before this country plunges itself into coalitions that are not
worth the paper they are written on.

DAVID WALLIS
Medan, North Sumatra