Threats to elections

Threats to elections

The recent warning by Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen.
Endriartono Sutarto about attempts by certain groups to obstruct
next April's general election, including those who are now
demanding judicial review of the election law, will echo strongly
again next week.

The general hinted, though, that his statement was issued as
an answer to a written question from the House of Representatives
(DPR).

Next week, the General Elections Commission (KPU) is scheduled
to announce the list of political parties eligible to contest
next year's general elections.

The KPU's announcement moves the nation one step closer to the
realization of elections of the DPR and the Regional
Representatives Council (DPD) in April, and the country's first
direct presidential election in July. If no presidential
candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, a second
election will be held in September. We can imagine how tiring and
potentially explosive the election process could be, because it
will require nearly nine months to complete.

No doubt the announcement will be followed by protests,
especially from political parties that have failed to pass the
KPU's final scrutiny. We can understand the disappointment of the
losers, but we hope that they will act responsibly and accept the
decision, for they do not deserve to contest the elections, due
mainly to their own unpreparedness.

Back to Gen. Endriartono's statement: The warning has received
mixed reactions. Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi said
the TNI and police should back up the statement with compelling
evidence, otherwise it would merely create anxiety among the
public. Hasyim was clearly referring to the habit of the security
forces, which often issued similar warnings in the past, to
mention the threat from "third parties" or "certain irresponsible
groups" with regard to national security.

However, whatever Gen. Endriartono's considerations may be,
his message should be paid its due attention, especially when we
view it from a positive perspective. We can say the general is
not alone. Many Indonesians now feel unsure whether the public is
really ready to face such a long and complicated election
procedure. Are the contestants and political elite ready to act
in a statesmanlike manner?

It would be naive to conclude that all elements of Indonesian
society were ready and willing to accept a fully democratic
nation. In private conversations, senior TNI officers often
express doubts over the capability of civilian governments to run
the country, based on the performance of the post-Soeharto
governments.

Look at major political parties like the Indonesian Democratic
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), former ruling party Golkar, the
United Development Party (PPP), or the National Awakening Party
(PKB). None can claim they are free from internal conflict. More
and more senior PDI Perjuangan members, disappointed at the
"iron-fist" leadership of Megawati Soekarnoputri, criticize the
President in public.

Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung is a convict in a corruption
case, although his appeal now rests with the Supreme Court. PPP
is still dominated by politicians who were on the political stage
when Soeharto was still in power. Former president Abdurrahman
Wahid is reportedly still insisting on being renominated by his
party, PKB, for the presidential election, despite strong
resistance from the party itself.

Major political parties also deploy their own militias, which
are trained to act as internal security guards, because they
still cannot depend on the state security apparatus. However, it
is difficult to deny their tendency to act just like a real
military force, not only due to their uniforms but also their
propensity to resort to violence. Although it seems unrealistic
for the time being, we are still of the opinion the presence of
these militias is more harmful than beneficial for the nation.
Stricter regulation is needed to minimize the negative impact of
the militias' presence.

In 1999, when Indonesia held its first democratic general
election since 1955, the international community and media
expressed doubts that the nation would be able to stage
democratic and peaceful elections. The nation, especially voters,
proved the fears were groundless.

We hope the same maturity is shown again in next year's
general elections. However, warnings about attempts to foil the
elections should not be ignored. A direct presidential election
will be a totally new experience for the nation.

Frankly speaking, we worry more about the political elite than
ordinary Indonesians; especially those who think only about power
and who want to grab it, even if the future of the nation is at
stake. Let us view the general's warning as an early wake-up call
for us with regard to next year's elections.