Presidential debate not needed

There seems to be a growing public misperception today, that a change of administration (government) will automatically lead to improvements in the country's general condition -- meaning more jobs, an influx of foreign capital, less corruption, increased economic growth and lighter foreign debt burdens.

The new elections law provides an opportunity for people to choose the president and vice president in 2004, directly and more democratically.

A new additional requirement put forward is that the presidential candidates should appear before the actual elections to expound upon their programs, promises and aspirations in a public debate. Those who prove their oratory talents before the audience will be considered the best candidates for leading the nation in the following five years.

Proponents of such an open presidential debate believe that the electorate will easily be persuaded to change their minds, like people in the United States for example.

However, Indonesians have a different mentality and background. It is the mentality of the present leaders that must first be changed and the sick or corrupt elements be rid of, which will take many generations to come. An impromptu public debate will not change that mentality. Unless, of course, the elections are seen as a kind of entertainment.

It is difficult -- and would be naive -- to believe that an open debate among presidential candidates will produce the right leaders with the right mentality, those with a selfless dedication to the cause of the common people, and not with an incentive to serve only their own political parties' interests.

GANDHI SUKARDI, Jakarta