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