I wrote several months ago, that most people in Indonesia do not look forward enthusiastically toward the election, next July. I assumed that the reason for this widespread apathy is the old faces'candidates offered to the public. Most of the contestants competing in this election are from old times, with old promises. People --understandably-- are tired.
But then, as the campaign geared up to its final days, I sense a different mood amongst the people. People are starting to pay attention. Gossips spread around the corner, about this candidate and that candidate. On my way to work, people on the train, in foodstalls just across the station, on buses, anywhere, started to compare their judgment about what our future will be, if this candidate or that candidate, win the election. More and more people start to register themselves as voters. In the last legislative election, many people were not eligible to vote because they failed to register themselves in advance at the village/sub-district offices. This time, they didnt repeat that mistake: they want to vote and they want their vote counted.
However, I still think that this election is not everything. Its not the moment where our fate as a nation is at stake. I have stop thinking that election is the answer for everything now. One elected leader cannot do everything, he or she is not superperson, who can singlehandedly change a nation of 220 million people. I simply dont believe it.
Well, people ussualy pointed out at the Obama phenomenon in the US. Obama change alot of things in America, I will not argue against that. But, people tend to forget that all of that didnot come from Obama alone. He's just a symbol of a greater change that is happening in US. A movement where millions of young people involve, and join hands together to change the old ways of how politics is managed there. Obama, smartly capture the essence of this movement's spirit, and place himself in the center of it. He successfuly ride it to the White House. But, once he make a mistake, or deliberately denied the aspiration of his supporters'base, he's finished. And that is what politics should be.
Politics should be a big system where the real power lies with the people. Where people's need and hope, and sometimes fear-- are channeled, negotiated, and find a common resolution, acceptable for all. Politics should be about how to make people's lives better, about how to find a common platform where everybody feels represented, respected and appreciated. Politics is never about election alone.
Thats why, I still find myself, sometime, pessimistic about this election next July. The foundation of Indonesian politics is not yet strong, is not yet accountable. Election can not guarantee everybody's needs, hopes, and fears, is taken into account and considered. Our system mainly depends on our politicians good faith. If they're good people, then the system will work just fine. But, if they're a bunch of yes man, corrupt, dirty people, then there's very little things we can do to prevent it. We dont have a strong check and balances system yet, we dont have a strong democratic institution yet. Everybody can still be bribed and seduced to follow one short term, pragmatic interest of certain parties.
We have to manage our expectation. Yes, election is important, but not that vital. Indonesia is a work in progress, and this is just one step in our long path to reach our end destination, that is a country where everybody can live together in harmony, in a prosperous, just, democratic society. We're still along way from that.
But then, as the campaign geared up to its final days, I sense a different mood amongst the people. People are starting to pay attention. Gossips spread around the corner, about this candidate and that candidate. On my way to work, people on the train, in foodstalls just across the station, on buses, anywhere, started to compare their judgment about what our future will be, if this candidate or that candidate, win the election. More and more people start to register themselves as voters. In the last legislative election, many people were not eligible to vote because they failed to register themselves in advance at the village/sub-district offices. This time, they didnt repeat that mistake: they want to vote and they want their vote counted.
However, I still think that this election is not everything. Its not the moment where our fate as a nation is at stake. I have stop thinking that election is the answer for everything now. One elected leader cannot do everything, he or she is not superperson, who can singlehandedly change a nation of 220 million people. I simply dont believe it.
Well, people ussualy pointed out at the Obama phenomenon in the US. Obama change alot of things in America, I will not argue against that. But, people tend to forget that all of that didnot come from Obama alone. He's just a symbol of a greater change that is happening in US. A movement where millions of young people involve, and join hands together to change the old ways of how politics is managed there. Obama, smartly capture the essence of this movement's spirit, and place himself in the center of it. He successfuly ride it to the White House. But, once he make a mistake, or deliberately denied the aspiration of his supporters'base, he's finished. And that is what politics should be.
Politics should be a big system where the real power lies with the people. Where people's need and hope, and sometimes fear-- are channeled, negotiated, and find a common resolution, acceptable for all. Politics should be about how to make people's lives better, about how to find a common platform where everybody feels represented, respected and appreciated. Politics is never about election alone.
Thats why, I still find myself, sometime, pessimistic about this election next July. The foundation of Indonesian politics is not yet strong, is not yet accountable. Election can not guarantee everybody's needs, hopes, and fears, is taken into account and considered. Our system mainly depends on our politicians good faith. If they're good people, then the system will work just fine. But, if they're a bunch of yes man, corrupt, dirty people, then there's very little things we can do to prevent it. We dont have a strong check and balances system yet, we dont have a strong democratic institution yet. Everybody can still be bribed and seduced to follow one short term, pragmatic interest of certain parties.
We have to manage our expectation. Yes, election is important, but not that vital. Indonesia is a work in progress, and this is just one step in our long path to reach our end destination, that is a country where everybody can live together in harmony, in a prosperous, just, democratic society. We're still along way from that.
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