Djoko Tjiptono, Jakarta – The 2004 general elections will not be able to provide a solution to the various problems which are being faced by the Indonesian people. This is because in terms of the political parties’ programs, the majority are rotten.
This was explained by the general chairperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PRD), Yusuf Lakaseng, when contacted by Detik.com by telephone on Saturday January 24.
Lakaseng explained that a good political party is one which is has the capacity to present solutions to the four problems which are facing the nation. The four problems are the welfare of the people, the elimination of corruption, problems of democracy and militarism along with the oppression of women.
“The studies which we have conducted indicate that not one of the large political parties which are in power at the moment, [has the capacity] to provide hope to [the nation to] escape from these problems. This shows that they are all rotten political parties”, said Lakaseng.
Lakaseng explained that the credibility of the political parties is closely linked with the politicians or the elite from the political parties themselves. If a political party is rotten then the political elite from that party are also rotten. “Because they use these political party as a vehicle to advance their goals”, explained Lakaseng.
It is understood that the political parties being referred to by Lakaseng are the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the United Development Party (PPP), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Star Crescent Party (PBB) and the Golkar Party. The political elite of these parties are therefore [President] Megawati Sukarnoputri, [Vice-president Hamzah Haz], [People’s Consultative Assembly speaker] Amin Rais, [former foreign minister] Alwi Shihab, [justice and human rights minister] Yusril Ihza Mahendra and [People’s Representative Assembly speaker] Akbar Tandjung respectively.
“If they want to bring charges against us we are ready. Furthermore, we are ready to hold a programmatic debate [with them] if they so wish”, explained Lakaseng. (djo)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
