Snap election

Snap election

From Media Indonesia

The possibility of snap elections has become a popular topic
recently. This is quite all right as long as it remains a subject
of discourse with all its attendant debates without anybody
forcing their wishes upon others. What matters more than an
accelerated general election, actually, is a profound study of
why a snap election is necessary. It must be borne in mind that
huge funds will be needed to organize a general election, while
Indonesia is still in the tight grip of a protracted economic
crisis.

In my opinion, a general election can be held ahead of
schedule if the outcome of the previous election is deemed
legally flawed and the institutions resulting from the general
election fail to function properly to settle state problems. In
reality, the House of Representatives and the People's
Consultative Assembly function well.

In this context, it would be wise to call to mind the warning
sounded by former coordinating minister for political, social and
security affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, that those running
the state must be really prudent and adhere to the Constitution
when making highly strategic decisions such as calling a snap
election.

It is hoped that there will be no attempt to force the people
to accept idea of organizing a snap election as it will only
cause our national unity to crumble. Were this to happen, it
would be a historical betrayal of the struggle for independence
that our heroes have given their lives for.

D. SUPANGAT

Jakarta