Tedious work ahead

The Indonesian general election is over and people feel relieved that we have passed another critical milestone on the road to a better future for this great nation. Now we are faced with the detailed and tedious task of counting and verifying the votes. Indication of election fraud during this process has not yet emerged because of the attention and monitoring that has been given to this crucial job. I express my uncounted thanks to the volunteers who have dedicated their time to achieve a fair and honest election through the diligence and concern applied every moment of this process.

My hope, and that of most Indonesians, is that the results of this election are truly honest and fairly represent the will of the people. It is also hoped that the monitoring by University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel), the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP), student groups and others is not diminished by the fatigue and boredom of processing the numbers, because the future of this country rests on their shoulders. Stick to the principle of truth and fairness, for this is the only path to the future, free from corruption and injustice.

To the foreign observers, please do not leave until the results are final because a relaxation of the monitoring might invite fraud and unwanted intervention by those attempting to make the election results agree with their own twisted political agenda.

Thank you my fellow Indonesians, for we have shown the world that we really can have a fair and clean election. But the end of this process can only be achieved when the last vote is counted by the volunteer election workers, who deserve our patience and greatest support.

ROLAND M. SUTRISNO

Jakarta