Teach people democracy properly

I read in The Jakarta Post on Oct. 13, 1999, that researchers from the National Institute of Sciences urged the People's Consultative Assembly not to make incumbent B.J. Habibie the next president.

Whatever their reasons, they have become too involved in practical politics. As researchers, they should voice neutral opinions. Of course, they have the right to express their political view but they have to use proper channels instead of this prestigious institute.

As members of an intellectual society, they should teach people how to practice democracy properly, free from vested interests. Otherwise, their opinion will be biased and in the end, no one will listen to them. They must be aware that in the political arena, the definition of "truth" is relative. It changes from time to time.

In this case, I may say that other candidates have an advantage while B.J. Habibie is the disadvantaged one. I am not a supporter of Habibie. As I said in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 18, 1999, both Habibie and Megawati Soekarnoputri were not ideal candidates for the next president.

It should be noted that the general election in June was not a presidential election. Therefore, the winning party cannot claim that its chairwoman must be appointed president. Regardless of whether we accept the result, the election is legitimate. The ongoing session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) has reflected this. Let them decide the best thing they can do for the country. Of course, they must be responsible to the people for the decision they make.

On the next presidential election, I would like to suggest that it is better to be conducted by voting. Then every MPR member should elect his or her candidate in writing and put this on a ballot paper. The result can be documented and announced publicly. So people will know. By so doing we can avoid the practice of money politics and the MPR is truly a responsible institution.

M. SULHAN ASKANDAR

Jakarta