A critical, decisive period
The year 2008 is a decisive year for political parties and individuals aiming for next year's general elections, with 123 direct regional head elections (locally termed as Pilkada) on schedule this year.
The year 2008 is a decisive year for political parties and individuals aiming for next year's general elections, with 123 direct regional head elections (locally termed as Pilkada) on schedule this year. The results and processes of elections in regions -- peaceful or violent -- could be influential in next year's legislative and presidential elections. Our political parties and political players must, thus, remember their responsibility to the nation, by pursuing peaceful and democratic means to achieving their goals, or by accepting defeat. Otherwise the nation will have to pay a bigger cost in next year's national elections. This month alone, there will be seven local elections, with the gubernatorial elections of West Java and North Sumatra provinces taking center stage. The West Java gubernatorial election is scheduled for this Sunday and the North Sumatra election the following Wednesday. Despite the relatively democratic environments (the elections will be held directly) these elections are still mired with flaws, with neither yet able to accommodate independent candidates beside those affiliated with political parties due to legal technicalities -- there is no law yet allowing the participation of independent candidates. Under such conditions, the regional head elections will therefore still be battles between candidates from the major political parties, namely between the top two -- Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), and will deny the opportunity of capable and accountable politically unaffiliated individual candidates to stand as alternatives for people to choose. Such local elections, however, are important and decisive for next year's general elections (particularly the presidential election) in that successful, but also peaceful regional elections (many suggest such local elections as a miniature to the nationwide presidential election) will bring forward positive impact on the five-yearly general elections next year. While there has been enthusiasm in the lead up to these elections, there has also been some concern over the potential for a repeat of the prolonged and violent gubernatorial elections previously held in North Maluku and South Sulawesi. It took nearly five months to settle, legally, the dispute in the South Sulawesi gubernatorial election. Meanwhile the settlement for the Nov. 3, 2007 North Maluku gubernatorial election has been ping-ponged between the central government and local administration, and is now in the hands of North Maluku provincial legislative council. One fundamental element in the above two Pilkada disputes was likely the failure of candidates, especially of the losing camps, to concede their election defeat. With candidates of the opposing camps claiming and sending messages of election irregularities and cheating, the political battle has since become a legal and even physical battle, involving supporters of both camps. Another element, although yet to be scientifically or officially declared, were the economic motives behind their unwillingness to admit defeat. While it is unlikely there was a problem with the attitudes of Indonesian voters (they are now politically mature especially when choosing the best candidate to be their leader) the problem likely rests with the candidates themselves. It has become a public secret that top government seats have been used as the medium for candidates, especially the victorious ones, to regain wealth and resources they spent running for top government posts, including as gs governor. Therefore, it is no secret that candidates will fight 'to the death' to win such elections, because failure to win seats would only mean losing the opportunity to repay their election debts. We need role models in the form of statesmanly gubernatorial candidates who will demonstrate statesmanship should they later lose the elections. From there, we can expect More statesmen at a national level when the much-anticipated presidential election is held next year. This is just a reminder. Adang Daradjatun has so far set the best example of how a loser can show statesmanship in accepting defeat. Immediately being defeated by Fauzi Bowo in the Jakarta gubernatorial election in August last year, Adang congratulated his opponent and accepted the defeat modestly.