GENERAL ELECTION 2009 IN INDONESIA : EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT IN POLITICS

In the year 2009 there are two elections in Indonesia. The legislature election that took place in April and the presidential election that took place in July 8. We cannot deny that there are weaknesses but in general the two elections reflect a great achievement of Indonesian people in politics.

Up to today, July 10, 2009, quick count organized by research institutions indicate that the incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono or SBY in short win the election in a landslide victory. One of the most reliable institution, Metro TV, noted that SBY won 58,51% of the votes. The former president Megawati got 26,32% and Jusuf Kalla got 15,18% of the votes. Meanwhile the election commission announced its temporary count which revealed similar result. SBY got 61,66%. Megawati got 28,57%. JK and general Wiranto got 9,77% of all votes. So far those research institutions are reliable in their accuracy because since the fall of Suharto in 1998 they have developed their ability to conduct political research. I am sure we can trust them. I believe their quick count result is not different from the final result of the election commission’s that we still have to wait for.

There are several things worth noting from the election. First the two election run smoothly and peacefully. At first people are very worried about the problem of distribution of vote ballot and logistics and the list of voters. But they are no obstacles to the operation of the election. A great number of people, estimated to millions are not on the list of voters. Luckily the Constitution Court made a wise decision on the right time. Those who are not on the list are allowed to cast their vote by showing their identity card to the local election committee. The election commission managed to overcome the problem of distribution. Several remote areas in Papua did not receive the logistics so they have to postpone the election but this is just a matter of time. After the election some people complain about fraud. Today the watcher and police are working on those complaints. It is a legal problem only, it is not political or security one.

The second worth noting phenomenon in the election is the debate of the candidates. This is a controversial issue from the very start. The idea of presidential debate started about ten years ago when Indonesia was free from dictatorial rule. Political scientist and activist, experts, journalist and the middle class want a transparent process of political recruitment which can show public about the quality of candidate. But in 1999, the first democratic election Indonesia, the debate could not be implemented. In 2004 the idea could be realized. It was far from perfect but at least it was an important leap in the political recruitment process.

The performance Megawati, the incumbent president of the time, was very poor at the debate. It is clear that she is not capable of solving complicated problems of Indonesia. That’s why in the following years her party, PDIP or the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle strongly rejects the idea. During parliamentary sessions they tried very hard to eliminate the idea from the law on election and politics. But other parties saw it as a golden opportunity to eliminate an opponent so they tried very hard to put the idea in the law. After lengthy debate finally they reached a compromise. The debate will be held five times. The presidential candidate will have to debate three times and the vice president twice.

In 2009 they have to implement the law. The debates were widely covered by the press including the television so the general public could watch their leaders expressing their ideas on many topics.

The third thing is the readiness of the public to accept whatever result of the election. So far there is no report of violence. Despite the fact of political factions, people can organize a peaceful and successful election is really a great political achievements of Indonesian people.

There is no doubt that the election commission play a key role in organizing the election. But there are others who play major role. The intellectuals, party leaders, press, government etc. I really appreciate people in the grass root level for this success. Although they have very limited knowledge and resources, they can take part in organizing a peaceful election.