Polling on president and VP

Polling on president and VP

From Suara Karya

Telepolling on the prospective vice president conducted by
private TV stations has indicated prominent names such as Hamzah
Haz, Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. So far
Susilo has received a much more favorable response from the
general public compared to the other two; an average of 85
percent of respondents have voted for him.

The above fact shows that the general public is beginning to
realize that prioritizing the interests of a certain group or
individual is by no means a solution to the nation's crises. The
people can no longer be easily cheated by the political elite
who, in their efforts to achieve their political goals, would
often instill the doctrine "the end justifies the means" in the
people's minds.

The above fact also reflects the honesty and openness shown by
the public due to their eagerness to quickly get out of the
crises.

It would be highly unlikely for Hamzah Haz, as a leader of an
Islamic organization and a leading cleric, to hold a post
subordinate to a woman leader since his party -- United
Development Party -- strongly objects to a woman leader. And
should he assume the post of vice president, he would be going
against the party's creed and this would have a serious impact on
his party's existence. It is hard to imagine how a country could
run if the president and vice president do not have many things
in common.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who chairs another Islamic party, may
face a similar problem to Hamzah Haz.

Susilo is considered qualified by the telepolling. We do hope
that the political elite will be honest with themselves and give
Susilo a chance to become Ibu Mega's vice president, to prove
himself capable of making the people of Indonesia prosper. They
must not cheat people by not accommodating the people's
aspirations.

SUHARYONO

Jakarta