Polls preparation, graft focus of 2008

The year 2008 has been dominated by two major issues: preparations for the upcoming elections and high-profile corruption cases.

With only four months until the April 9 legislative elections, the General Elections Commission has been slammed for their lack of preparation. The situation was worsened by the Dec. 23 ruling by the Constitutional Court stating that seats in the nation's legislatures would go to the candidates who secured the most votes.

The country has also witnessed the unfolding of several high-profile corruption cases, including those involving lawmakers and state prosecutors. The arrest of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's in-law demonstrated a tough stance on corruption, and is expected to boost his popularity ahead of the July presidential elections.

The House of Representatives' passed several controversial laws including the pornography bill, the education entity bill and bills on the legislative election and the presidential and vice presidential election.

Other events of note this year included the death of former president Soeharto, nation-wide protests against the Ahmadiyah Islamic sect and disputes in the regional elections which in many instances ended in violence.

-- The Jakarta Post