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Text your say: Democratization setback
Your comments on the walkout of Democratic Party legislators from the House of Representativesâ plenary session early Friday that put an end to the direct election of regional leaders as the majority of legislators, mobilized by the Red-and-White Coalition, preferred regional leaders be elected by the local legislative councils:The rationale behind the decision of the House of Representatives to put an end to the direct elections of regional leaders is the high cost of direct elections and the fact that it is against the fourth principle of Pancasila, which is democracy through representation
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strong>Your comments on the walkout of Democratic Party legislators from the House of Representatives' plenary session early Friday that put an end to the direct election of regional leaders as the majority of legislators, mobilized by the Red-and-White Coalition, preferred regional leaders be elected by the local legislative councils:
The rationale behind the decision of the House of Representatives to put an end to the direct elections of regional leaders is the high cost of direct elections and the fact that it is against the fourth principle of Pancasila, which is democracy through representation.
Using the same reasoning, we should put an end to the direct election of the president of the Republic of Indonesia. Let us go back to the original 1945 constitution as designed by our founding fathers.
We know for sure that the Red-and-White Coalition, which has a majority of votes, shall win in any voting process in the legislature. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) coalition could only win with the support of the Democratic Party. Toward the bill on the election of regional leaders, the Democrats stated that they are in favor of direct elections, but instead the Democratic Party walked out before voting, resulting in the victory of the Red-and-White Coalition and the defeat of the idea of direct elections of regional leaders.
The behavior of the Democratic Party is of no surprise because the party opted to be a 'balancing force' in the legislature, which means being an opportunist in state matters.
Soebagjo Soetadji
Jakarta
A black day has dawned in this vast archipelago. The political elites have placed a knife in the collective back of the people by usurping the right of choice and governance, effectively ensuring the perpetuation of their gilded existence.
What next, the commuting of all sentences of their incarcerated brethren? Bollywood must surely be queuing for the movie rights for this sordid tale.
Santiago
Jakarta
The walkout of Democratic Party legislators from the House of Representatives' plenary session early Friday has put an end to the direct election of regional leaders as the majority of legislators, preferred regional leaders be elected by the regional and provincial legislative councils.
The political maneuver of the Democratic Party was totally undemocratic, making it appear the party was heavily influenced by the Red-and-White Coalition.
The absence of SBY cannot make him think he is not guilty in the maneuver. SBY must at least think to facilitate the new government for a better chance of political harmony. SBY in his last hours should try hard to reduce the negative impacts his 10-year-old government could cause the new government.
SBY owes that to his grassroots supporters.
Moeljono Adikoesoemo
Jakarta
I think this is the real political maneuver of Indonesia.
You can defeat us, but we can defeat you, too.
Jokowi and his coalition parties win the presidential election with a majority of people's votes, but they seem to underestimate the majority of voters (the Red-and-White Coalition) sitting in the House of Representatives.
They must unite to end 'the war.'
Robinson Elohansen
These Democrats ran away like cowards. A president must represent all Indonesians, not just the ones who voted for him!
Makamba Tecumseh
Why would he be overseas during such an important vote?
Apain
'Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.' ' Hanlon's Razor
Considering the competency of Indonesian representatives in the House, I really am leaning on the latter side.
That is, the whole walkout and drama is caused by mere incompetent in various parties and sides. Okay, first of all, SBY is abroad and you have to admit it is difficult to establish communications with him (different time zone, protocols, etc.), even for the Democrats.
Thus I think most of the Democrats until last night, at least, didn't really know what they had to do.
You know very well how ambiguous SBY can be and if he's ambiguous in most of his public speeches, what makes you think that he'll be suddenly straight and direct to his subordinates to coordinate yesterday's maneuvering?
One can't read minds, after all, and the only thing we have is that YouTube video.
This, combined with pressure from the Red-and-White Coalition and and the ruling party coalition, simply caused the current Democrat leadership to give in last night.
They just want to play safe, to be on the least disadvantageous position and, of course, to not misinterpret SBY's instruction (if there's even any). The PDI-P should know that when the democrats walk out, they can do the same thing as well.
What this will do is to prevent quorum; if PDI-P and the coalition decide to walk out the whole percentage of those present will not reach 50 percent and the decision has to be delayed. But they didn't do so, which I think was caused by the fact that they naively want to save face by not playing the game. Be this courageous Yamato, or warrior with bamboo spear!
There you have it then. Unfortunately the ones who benefit most from this fiasco is none other than the Red-and-White Coalition.
And of course the Democrats will not admit this and claim instead that they have pre-planned the maneuver so as to gain political credit and the reputation as being this smart dalang (puppeteer), whereas facts and past histories point out that this is not the case.
How could this be the case? If the Democrats are that cunning one has to wonder why they never showed this in past meetings and decision-making processes instead of appearing toothless for 10 years.
Vader Z Wei
Indonesia was not a democracy, it is not a democracy right now and it never will be a democracy.
Why? Because lawmakers only benefit their own interests. New lawmakers will do the same, as will future lawmakers.
This is a matter of the right mental attitude. This has to be practiced from birth, in schools and after. But who will start it?
Azwar Bareta
Topic of the day
Opposition to control legislative institutions
The Constitutional Court's decision against a judicial review on the Legislative Institution Law (MD3) on Monday allows the Red-and-White Coalition to decide the leaders of legislative institutions. This marks another setback for president-elect Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's coalition, which was defeated over regional elections. What are your thoughts?
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