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