People Power vs Party Power

Do you think that a coalition will be effective to win the second round of the presidential election? (August 20 - 27, 2004)
Yes
	22.19%	89
No
	72.57%	291
Unsure
	5.24%	21
Total	100%	401

LEADERS of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and Golkar have been very busy lately. They have paid visits to various regions, just like the last campaign period. Leaders of the two parties that attained most votes in the legislative elections last April have tried hard to introduce their National Coalition. The political hook-up is intended to win the second round of presidential election on September 20.

The coalition that supports Megawati Sukarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi was declared at the Gran Melia Hotel on August 19, 2004, by four party leaders—Akbar Tandjung from Golkar, Hamzah Haz from the United Development Party, Ruyandi Hutasoit from the Prosperous Peace Party and Mega from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle. “We are optimistic that [we will] reach most votes, more than 50 percent,” Akbar, Chairman of the National Coalition, said last Friday.

But, will it run smoothly? Most participants of last week’s online poll doubt the coalition. One participant, Rusmantoyo, said that it is people—not the parties—who will vote for a new president. Parties cannot control people’s loyalty. Even, some participants doubt the coalition’s goal. “Perhaps, the coalition is merely intended to support [their] power, not for people’s prosperity,” said Fahri from Yogyakarta.

This Week's Poll: The Coalition of NGOs for a Clean Election met with the Law Commission of the House of Representatives (DPR) on August 26, 2004. They demanded the DPR to form a special committee to investigate an alleged corruption case involving the General Elections Commission (KPU). The coalition filed documents to the DPR describing alleged corruption of about Rp344 billion. The coalition speaker, La Ode Ida, said there is strong indication that KPU members have misused their positions for personal interests. The corruption allegedly involved budget posts, logistics distribution, funds to provide ballot papers, boxes, and voting booths, and also funds to provide operations vehicles for local KPUs. DPR Law Commission Head, Teras Narang, explained he has filed a letter to the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) to audit and investigate Rp3 trillion in funds spent by the KPU. However, at time of going to press, BPK had not yet responded. Is it necessary for the DPR to form a special committee to investigate an alleged corruption case at the KPU? Log on www.tempointeractive.com and tell us what you think.

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