Indonesia’s Democrazy

The government will spend as much as Rp 15 trillion during 2010 – 2014 Regional Election all across Indonesia. Is it worth for us to spend such big amount of money for the dream of prosperity?

In Indonesia, democratic instrument such as election, freedom of speech, balance of power turns into political fad and chaos. Election becomes spending spree activities, freedom of speech leads to freedom of violence, balance of power means no one has responsibility of anything.

We didn't invent democracy so that we often lost the essence of democracy. It is freedom with responsible, rule of law, and above all, meritocracy have made democracy is the best choice of state system. However in case of your citizenry is not law-abiding one, just forget the democracy. Your leaders cannot make a system to ensure that the best and brightest mind will lead the way and manage the bureaucracy, and then democracy doesn't fit.

Democracy is only a tool brings people to prosperity. And sometimes you should take the West's democracy recipe with a grain of salt. If you try to be a copy cat of this then you have the different result with the rich Western countries. Instead of public order and high income, you get the rampant corruption, wild demonstration, election disputes and everything that eventually will hamper the development. So why should we embrace democracy?

Moreover, Indonesia is a developing country, so the development should be guided coherent policy from central and local government. On contrary, Indonesia's democracy prompts the overlapping policy and even confusing policy because they have their own agenda.

So what is election, especially regional election, for? First, it will be the disturbance of national policy. Second, in terms of Indonesia's need, local government is the pivotal institution which manages directly the people. So the leader should be the experienced one, fully understand the problem and have a remarkable track record. As mentioned above, meritocracy is the only way for us to have a good government and governance.

My brainchild is we only have one election for the five years' time. It is presidential election along with 33 gubernatorial elections. While the district and city's leaders will be appointed by governor. This system will simplify the elections and ensure the similar direction and synergy of national development.