Anwar Ibrahim and ICMI leaders to discuss RI’s future

Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and select members of the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) gathered together on Saturday to exchange views on democracy, leadership and Indonesia’s upcoming election.

“Ethics are often neglected when trying to achieve an aim or to attain an (political) appointment,” ICMI president Muslimin Nasution said at the meeting, as quoted by Kompas.com.

According to Muslimin, the discussion session with Anwar is expected to aid the country in improving its reform and managing democracy, particularly in choosing the right leadership in the 2009 election.

The former deputy prime minister recently won back his old parliament seat, which his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, held during his political exile, in a by-election. She stood aside last month to allow him to contest, after a ban on him holding public office expired. [The Jakarta Post]

SBY’s son and Megawati’s daughter in legislative race

By Abdul Khalik and Desy Nurhayati

It is not exactly “like father like son” for Edi Baskoro, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s youngest son, nor “like mother like daughter” for Puan Maharani, the youngest daughter of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri.

While the Democratic Party has named Edi, better known as Ibas, its top legislative candidate for Jakarta II electoral district and while Puan sits atop the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) list for Central Java I electoral district, both have much to prove to dismiss allegations that they secured the nominations along bloodlines.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng, who is also the Democratic Party’s executive director, however, defended Edi, calling him a young and bright cadre the party badly needed.

“He is low-profile, humble and intelligent. Like the proverb goes, “The apple never falls very far from the tree”. With him, we can discuss many things. The party needs a figure like him,” he said.

Andi underlined that as a parent, Yudhoyono allowed his now 28-year-old son, who studied management in Australia, to pursue a career of his choosing.

The PDI-P’s Ganjar Pranowo, a rising star within the party, lent his support to Puan, 35, saying she had been involved in the party’s activities as a politician even before the July 27, 1996, attack on the then PDI’s office that shot Megawati to fame.

“Ever since I’ve known her, she has been beside her mother in facing big moments. I think she has what it takes to become a good politician. Besides, she’s a University of Indonesia graduate,” he said.

Edi has chaired the Democratic Party’s Jakarta office since 2006 while Puan assumed PDI-P’s deputy chairmanship post last year.

Muhammad Qodari, executive director of the pollster Indo Barometer, however, criticized the quick rise of both Edi and Puan as confirmation of the prevailing political dynasty in the country. He advised the parties to give them time to follow the normal party’s ladder from the bottom to acquire skills and experiences needed to serve the public.

“Political dynasties should take an example from business dynasties. Tycoons usually prepare their children from the bottom to give them time to learn everything,” Qodari said.

The fact that both Edi and Puan are placed in their parties’ strongholds reflects their lack of confidence, said Qodari.

The Democratic Party is the second largest party in Jakarta and the PDI-P is the largest party in Central Java.

Qodari said that to show their prowess, both Edi and Puan should instead fight for legislative seats in electoral districts where their parties lost in past elections.

“To wipe away cynicism, they should neither top the party list nor contest in their strongholds. They should instead serve as vote getters to help their parties win legislative seats in districts where the Democratic Party and the PDI-P are not the favorites,” Qodari said. (The Jakarta Post)

Voter turnout may be less than 60%

By Adianto P. Simamora

Political activists warned voter turnout in the 2009 elections could be less than 60 percent, mainly because of inadequate preparations by the General Elections Commission (KPU) and growing public apathy.

The People’s Voter Education Network (JPPR) said Thursday less people would vote in the upcoming legislative election than in recent regional elections.

“No matter how much the KPU or parties do to upgrade voter lists, we predict voter turnout will be between 50 and 60 percent,” JPPR national coordinator Jeirry Sumampow said in a discussion on the phenomenon of poll absentees.

“There is also increased public apathy. It could be because people are disappointed with the political parties or just bored with the sheer number of elections they’ve had to participate in.”

Voter turnout in the 2004 general elections stood at 67.57 percent. With even more parties competing next year, the KPU expects the 2009 figure to go up to 70 percent.

The KPU has cleared 34 political parties to contest the legislative election, scheduled for April 9, 2009.

A recent study conducted by the JPPR revealed voter turnout in the first-ever direct regional elections to choose governors, regents and mayors stood at between 60 and 70 percent.

It found public participation in gubernatorial elections in North Sumatra, Riau and Central Java was below 60 percent.

In some provinces and regencies, including East Java, poll absentees effectively won the election by outnumbering the winning candidates’ total votes.

“We believe voter turnout in next year’s legislative election will be similar to that in the regional elections. It is very possible poll absentees will win the election,” he said.

Since its establishment, the KPU has never promoted to the public the importance of legislative and presidential elections, Jeirry claimed.

Worse yet, he added, many eligible voters were frustrated by what they considered insignificant improvements in their lives, following a series of elections.

Citing fears over low voter turnout, the KPU rescheduled the polling day from April 5 to April 9. The earlier date falls on a Sunday and coincides with a traditional Chinese holiday.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) deputy chairman Fahmi Bado agreed with JPPR’s predictions of low voter turnout next year.

He said the dismal performance of legislators, coupled with the arrest of several House members in corruption cases, would further discourage people from going to the polls.

“We will push critical voters so they vote for candidates with good track records,” said Fahmi, who is campaigning against “crook politicians”.

The term refers to legislative candidates linked to corruption, human rights abuses and environmental exploitation. (The Jakarta Post)