Party's vision no personal view

Party's vision no personal view

From Rakyat Merdeka

Two debate programs of presidential hopefuls have taken place
so far, one at the Bandung Institute of Technology and the other
at the University of Indonesia's Salemba campus. The latter was
broadcasted by SCTV and had four candidates, all PhDs.

Before and after the debates many comments were directed to
Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan). Some deplored her refusal to
join in the debates. Others even accused her of seeking
protection under her father's great name.

Many people think that debates are necessary so that the
people get to know their presidential hopeful. Through their
skills in expressing opinions and debating issues, they can show
their intellectuality, vision and program. Debates are necessary
to prevent people from buying a pig in a poke.

Is it true that a presidential hopeful is judged by his
intellectuality only or by his skills in speeches or debates? If
only the factor of intellectuality is given prominence, the
presidential hopefuls must be professors and doctors in the
political, legal or communication fields. A presidential
candidate must have a deep perspective far into the future and be
able to communicate internally and externally. However, even that
is no guarantee of popular support. He or she should be wise,
able to lead people, be a model for others to follow, be
sensitive to people's hopes, and not be arrogant or
authoritarian.

Many new political parties have emerged. From over 100, some
40 have been short-listed. The leaders, most of them skillful
speakers, claim they have millions of supporters. The new parties
have targeted at least 2 percent of the vote, said one of the
chairmen of the new parties. The election results will show
whether the party leaders deserve to become prominent figures or
whether they are only boasters seeking popularity.

If one desires to know about PDI Perjuangan's vision and
program, one does not need to hear it from Megawati herself
although she is the party's leader. Likewise goes for the vision
and program of National Mandate Party (PAN) and Crescent Star
Party (PBB) which can be learned from people rather than Amien
Rais and Yusril Ihza Mahendra only. The visions and programs are
not individual possessions. They are owned by the party
organization except if there is a question of a one-man show.

PDI Perjuangan's vision and program is the result of
reflection and thinking by experts in support of the party.
Already in its initial stage, PDI Perjuangan set up a Board for
Research and Development. This shows that the party's vision and
program do not originate from Megawati personally.

SOEKARTONO

Bekasi, West Java