The debate

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