Editorial: Political escapades

Wed, 07/09/2008 10:48 AM  |  Opinion

When Indonesia, in 1999, held its first democratic general election for 44 years, people cheerfully welcomed the presence of 48 political parties. Soeharto, during his New Order regime, allowed just three political parties to contest six consecutive elections, until he was forced to step down in 1998.

For the 2004 election, many people were encouraged because the number of parties was reduced to 24 through a transparent and democratic process.

But when the General Elections Commission (KPU) announced on Monday that next year's legislative election would be contested by 34 parties, including 18 new ones, many Indonesians said: what? Apparently, very few Indonesians at the moment have a positive opinion about the number of participants in next year's election.

Not only that, the country also started the longest election campaign period in its history on Tuesday. With the legislative election to be held next April and the presidential election three months later, we should all brace for noisy campaigns -- hopefully minus the violence -- and political banners pasted up everywhere.

But could it be that people are exaggerating the problems we are facing?

It is true that our democracy is still very young, only about 10 years old. It is also true that all citizens have the obligation to keep our democracy blooming. But it is also legitimate that people expect more responsible, honest and capable politicians.

Of the 18 new political parties, perhaps the People's Conscience Party (Hanura) is the most prominent, as it is led by former Indonesian Military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto, who lost the 2004 presidential election on the Golkar Party ticket. But many young voters are perhaps unfamiliar with his name because he hasn't held a government position for the last eight years.

Amid the repugnance and distrust of many voters over the corrupt and avaricious behavior of many of our politicians, including leaders of political parties and legislators, the KPU's announcement sparked cynical reactions. There is a growing public perception that many -- some even say most -- Indonesian politicians use political parties as mere vehicles to enrich themselves and/or to achieve their political ambitions.

While numerous legislators, both at the national and regional level, have been prosecuted and are serving jail terms, it would be very difficult for political parties to point to any significant achievements over the last five years.

Since the fall of Soeharto in 1998, Indonesia has experienced at least two extreme changes. First, it is very easy to set up a media organization, and second, it is very easy to set up a political party.

While the survival of a media organization is entirely determined by market forces, the establishment of political parties has financial consequences for the state because the parties could become eligible for state funding -- political parties that secure seats at national or local legislatures have the right to receive financial assistance from the state.

Requirements to set up new parties are very loose, at least from a financial point of view, because the laws on political parties and legislative elections do not lay out tough financial obligations, like a minimum working capital for parties.

The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, including the right to set up political organizations. But what people need is quality, not just quantity. It seems Indonesians must accept that the multi-party system will continue to dominate the country's politics. All they can hope is that their skepticism over the political parties proves to be incorrect.

A sharp decrease in the number of eligible voters taking part in regional elections is likely to carry over into next year's legislative and presidential elections, unless voters see hope for change. Politicians are always quick to cite the press as the party most responsible for creating public distrust. But the press is only a mirror of society.

It is encouraging to see that more and more people are jumping into politics. But are they ready to work for the people? So far, many Indonesians are pessimistic.

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