The debate

As a novelty, I would like to applaud the students of the University of Indonesia for staging the much-talked-about debate, which featured some political party chiefs who will supposedly run for the presidency. Personally I consider it part of the election festival of democracy, which is admittedly rather subdued, now being prepared here.

One of the requirements for a president is, of course, that he should have a sharp mind rather than a sharp tongue, and possess the sensitivity to hear and feel the suffering of the people.

In the case of Indonesia, however, what is needed first is a figure who can unify the whole population. In that case, the next president would ideally be a figurehead, with the executive power shared among the winners of the elections. It would predictably be a coalition government.

There were little surprises in the questions and the answers. It was not meant to be a serious contest in which we could assess the qualities of the four men. In a way, each candidate could be declared fit to shoulder the burden of the presidency.

To an international audience, maybe Amien Rais, the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) would seem the most impressive with his many English expressions. He was the most composed in facing a wildly enthusiastic audience.

What else? At one time Amien challenged, in English I think, whether it was necessary for an Indonesian president to be able to speak English in public, considering that we are part of ASEAN, although he may not be as fluent as, for instance, the late Marcos, Lee Kuan Yew, Mahathir Mohammad, Nelson Mandela or Kofi Annan for that matter.

I wish I had been personally present so that I could have asked these presidential candidates whether, if elected, they would pledge to provide every citizen with a job, house and medical care, access to drinking water and electricity, free education, religious freedom and human rights. I also would have asked how they would achieve all this. And whether they are commitment to world peace.

Sri Bintang Pamungkas, chairman of the Indonesia Democratic Union Party (PUDI), was adamant when replying to a question over whether his priority would be to bring former president Soeharto to court. How do you plan to give everybody enough to eat?

The political parties must compete in presenting and realizing the people's welfare program, not in debating skills before the cameras. As the official campaign period approaches, more political clashes have been reported from a number of regions, an indication of what may happen on election day.

The Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, opined that, although the elections are virtually upon us, the government continues to carry out its routine tasks, and is responsible for organizing the elections.

The Justice Party leader, Didin Hafiduddhin, pleaded he would work for a society that is not only Islamic in formal spiritual belief but also in practice, with leaders setting a good example.

All in all, we may expect the price of democracy to be higher than expected in terms of human lives, material losses and international reputation.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta