SBY's commitment to true democracy

The reform movement in Indonesia has borne fruit. Six years after former president Soeharto was toppled by the reform movement in 1998, the country with the world's largest Muslim population this year organized its first direct election.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), a retired four-star general, with running mate Jusuf Kalla, a wealthy businessman turned politician, is the first Indonesian president to be directly elected by the people.

By June next year, the Indonesian people will have directly elected at least 176 heads of regional government in the country. The direct presidential election was a milestone in the history of Indonesian democracy. In previous governments, the Indonesian people were directed to elect political parties, a system where people voted for a party, not a person.

Indonesians should welcome this development with joy, not because Megawati was defeated or because SBY won the race, but because the people are now able to exercise their rights and elect a president of their choice. More importantly, this is a prelude to the Indonesian people moving closer to true democracy.

It should be noted that Megawati has done a wonderful job. She has laid the foundation for developing democracy and making changes. And SBY is challenged to continue the cause Megawati pioneered. Heaps of challenges lie ahead. This country of over 220 million people has 10 million people who are unemployed and 30 million others who are underemployed.

ANDI ABDUSSALAM Tangerang, Banten