Quality of a presidential candidate

Quality of a presidential candidate

From Pikiran Rakyat

On the subject of presidential candidates, I do not think that
gender is of great importance in determining the criteria for
one. The vision and quality of the candidate, however, are
essential. The vision concerns his/her views on the spirit of
reform. It means whether he/she is willing to amend the 1945
Constitution, to enforce the supremacy of law by bringing
Soeharto, his family and cronies to court, to revoke the
military's dual function, to reinstate the function of state
institutions like the People's Consultative Assembly, the House
of Representatives, the Supreme Court and the Attorney General's
Office and to return the state's sovereignty to the people, to
overcome the moral and economic crisis in the country.

If the candidate does not have this spirit, I am afraid
his/her fate will be worse than that of his/her predecessors in
their last years.

A presidential candidate must show the qualities of a
statesman who is acceptable to all ethnic, religious and
professional groups as well as the international circle.

In this case the quality of Nelson Mandela can serve as an
example. A statesman must have the know-how to express his/her
thoughts both in speech and writing. A statesman must side with
oppressed people, including women. A statesman must be religious
because he/she is an example for people. He/she must also
understand problems of education and the environment.

If a presidential candidate never states his/her stance on the
above, never presents his/her program to us and never promises
anything to improve the condition of this country, I am afraid we
will be deceived for the umpteenth time.

If he/she plunders our country like our second president did,
and we criticize him/her, he/she will certainly reply lightly, "I
have never made any promises. What is your concern?"

Therefore, choose a presidential candidate who has common
sense and a clear conscience, and not because he/she is a symbol
of the opposition of the past or because circumstances compel
his/her election. We must remember that our choice will be
decisive not only for the next five years but also for the whole
future of the nation.

To the people's representatives resulting from the June 7
general election, please heed the voices of people, truth and
justice.

DIDI SUKYADI

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