Patience needed to 2004

Many are pinning their hopes on the general election in 2004.

One of these hopes is that the holding of a direct presidential election will enable the people to exercise their sovereignty. In 2004, the political contract will be between the president and the people, without any intermediaries.

But while 2004 has yet to come, a new disappointment is already waiting. One report has said that about 50 percent of the electorate will not bother to vote in the upcoming election. This is because the voters are fed up with the political parties.

This must reflect the House of Representatives and the government's failure to formulate a realistic legislative framework governing the political system.

If the government and the House insist on maintaining the old system, 2004 could well turn out not to be a year of hope but a year of fury.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta