Politics and elections

Politics and elections

I am totally at a loss in trying to understand what has been happening in this country. Although a layman and ignorant of politics, I was enraged when I watched the TV news bulletin concerning the installation of the electoral committee for East Java in which the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) was excluded. On the occasion, the East Java governor said: "...they should give priority to national interest, and not to the interest of one group." Oh my, give me a break!

What kind of joke is this, by the way? Governor Basofi Sudirman in fact acknowledged Latief Pudjosakti, who is a crook, in the past extraordinary congress of PDI, instead of Sutjipto. Latief has only a handful of supporters, if any, while Sutjipto is supported by the majority of the PDI masses. Obviously Basofi has manipulated the facts.

If true to his word, Basofi should have acknowledged Sutjipto, then the chaotic situation need not have happened. This has not only defamed Basofi, but also the government which lacks maturity and democratic wisdom. Please, be assured that in the world's eyes our nation looks utterly foolish.

Also it is a disgrace not to declare election day a public holiday. It is no secret that our election is not a free exercise. To get an honest victory in the election, the people should be able to vote freely and confidentially, free from indoctrination and intimidation, or any other form of threatening action towards civil servants who have to vote in their respective offices, and students in their schools.

Honest elections can only be achieved if election day is made a holiday. Let's all be brave and achieve real success and not a hollow victory. We should be ashamed of any wrong doing or anything achieved by deceitful means.

Being victorious, powerful and famous is insignificant if all of it is obtained by crooked means and denies people their rights.

I am afraid to imagine what will become of our nation of 190 million people if the leaders are reluctant to look downward, and are indulged in making themselves along with their kith and kin happy and prosperous.

ETI RIHANA

Jakarta