Vote for credible leaders: Megawati
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Despite a lack of promising national leaders to contest the 2004 direct presidential election, President Megawati Soekarnoputri has urged Indonesians to exercise their right to vote in the polls.
In her year-end speech on Wednesday, she said the upcoming election was a milestone for the country's more democratic future and that the public should play its part to the full.
"I know that it is not easy to choose credible leaders, but no matter how difficult it is, the public should make their choices with full awareness," the President said.
"The public should also understand that their choices will affect the country's policies, and, as a consequence, they have to abide by decisions (produced in the future)," she added.
In her state address, the President also reminded people to carefully evaluate legislative and presidential candidates nominated by political parties in the 2004 elections.
She said that the upcoming elections were the time for the public to reclaim their mandate in order to be the sole determinant of the country's future.
"You should remember that the fate of the country is in your hands, so choose those who can lead the country to a better and more secure future," Megawati said.
The country will hold its first-ever direct presidential election this year in two rounds -- the first on July 5 and the second on Sept. 20.
It will be preceded by the general election on April 25, to elect legislators nominated by 24 political parties that were recently declared eligible to contest the polls.
However, concern is growing that many Indonesians will not exercise their voting right in the elections due to an absence of suitable and prominent leaders to vote for.
Megawati is determined to seek reelection through the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, challenging other presidential candidates like People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, ex-military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto and others.
She has drawn frequent condemnation from her own supporters and many others who are extremely disappointed at her poor leadership in running the country.
Several surveys have indicated a decrease in support for Megawati in the upcoming elections, as critics have accused her of practicing authoritarian rule.
Megawati added she was optimistic that the coming year would bring a better future for the country, although a lot of problems remained unresolved.
She said that with the recent establishment of the Corruption Eradication Commission the nation should hope for an end to graft, blamed for the country's prolonged crisis.
"The commission has full authority to eradicate corruption. We must support and help its members in carrying out their duties," the President said.
However, analysts and activists lost hope for the commission after several favorite candidates, including Marsilam Simanjuntak and Bambang Widjojanto, were excluded as members.
Megawati also said the suspended plan to establish a truth and reconciliation commission would be another breakthrough in resolving some long-standing political problems.
"We need such a commission so we can move forward and bury the hatchet," she said.