One country, two parties

One country, two parties

From Koran Tempo

The General Elections Committee (KPU) has done its utmost in
fulfilling its duties with the facilities available and under
existing conditions. It is the election timetable and the
preparation period that should be reviewed for next time.

For such a big country as Indonesia, the parties to contest
the election should be determined at least a year ahead. Those
wishing to set up new political parties should think again to
avoid pursuing mere personal ambitions -- there are already a
variety of parties they can join.

The experience gained from two elections has shown how too
many parties have wasted resources and fooled the population. The
time has come for parties to merge into two major groups as is
normally the case in a democracy: a ruling party and an
opposition party.

Strangely, in Indonesia, the aim to become an opposition group
is overrun by a desire to seek positions and power. Such an
attitude should be revised into a commitment toward a greater
national goal, instead of personal and clique interests.

ADDINUL YAKIN
Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara