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.