SBY's commitment to true democracy

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