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National
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs: Three Problems Could Cause Failure of 2004 General Election
23 Januari 2004
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Three problems--money politics, violence and the misuse of authority and power--are likely to cause the failure of the 2004 General Election.
“There are three matters that can cause the failure of the general election. While we still have time, let’s prepare everything,” Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told reporters in Jakarta on Thursday (22/1).
According to Yudhoyono, the practice of money politics will be applied, involving a huge amount of money the source of which is unclear.
He said he regretted this as it would mean the 2004 election could not be conducted democratically due to such a practice.
”It’s such a shame that our consciences can be bought,” Yudhoyono stated.
He suggested the election participants pay good attention to the use of the election funds.
Yudhoyono said that the second threat would be acts of violence all over Indonesia.
To overcome this, the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police will participate to guarantee the safety of the election and the prevention of acts of violence.
Such violence, Yudhoyono stated, would come from those competing in the election.
Therefore, he said he hoped that leaders of political parties could be actively involved in preventing acts of violence during the election.
Yudhoyono also said he considered that the misuse of authority or power could cause the failure of the 2004 election.
According to him, the misuse of authority could be committed by anyone with authority, including regents, governors, the president, the vice president, the TNI chief, the National Police chief and many more.
“Officials must follow the prevailing regulations,” stated Yudhoyono.
He said he hoped authority would not be used for the interest of particular parties as this could threaten a democratic election.
DA Chandraningrum - Tempo News Room
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