Postelection complications

Postelection complications

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) is certain to emerge the winner in the June 7 general election. That, however, is the only thing that is certain so far. Everything else remains in the dark. For example, Megawati Soekarnoputri, chairwoman of PDI Perjuangan, can still be defeated by the parties which have lost.

In the case of the presidency, Megawati, who was named her party's presidential candidate long ago, could be defeated by President B.J. Habibie, the presidential candidate of the Golkar Party, which has lost the elections. The reason is that PDI Perjuangan is likely to get less than 50 percent of the votes, which means that the losers can still turn winners if they form a coalition.

But even if Megawati's party had won an absolute majority, she might still not become president. The problem is that there appears to be no connection at all between the general election and the presidential election. The general election only elects the people's representatives in the People's Consultative Assembly, whose decisions do not necessarily run parallel with the people's aspirations as expressed in the elections.

To avoid complicated debates such as we are having at present, the 1945 Constitution, which we have, so far, regarded as inviolate, must be amended. For instance, it should be made clear that the leader of the winning party should become president, and these presidential elections should be by the people.

Things would be eased considerably if Golkar, which is far behind PDI Perjuangan in terms of votes garnered, is willing to become an opposition party. By doing so, Golkar would be making a valuable contribution to the current reform drive, and it would be greeted enthusiastically by the people in the 2004 general election -- a swift and elegant sacrifice.

And what about Megawati's capabilities? To allow her to prove herself, let her be president -- the only real test for anyone.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta