No More Direct Local Elections Will be Held in Indonesia

The draft law about local elections in Indonesia finally signed on Friday, 26 September 2014 early morning. By this signing, no more direct local elections will be held in Indonesia. This design successfully passed after a long and fierce debate. Internal debate going on Indonesian parliament member. Partly of them do not approve of this law, and partly agreed. From the results of the voting, at least, there are 204 votes approved the indirect election passed, 133 votes in favor direct elections, while the rest abstained.

This law of the local election contains the new regulations concerning the procedures local elections. The law intends to change the way the local elections over the last ten years have been selected directly by the people. Direct election is replaced by indirect elections. Head area can no longer be elected directly by the people, but rather through its representatives in the legislature. While the only people entitled to choose is a representative who is believed to sit in the legislature.

This legislation was proposed by some logical reasons to improve Indonesia's electoral system. Local election system are indirectly considered more advantageous because it will save millions of dollars in election costs. Apart from the efficiency of fund elections, elections can also indirectly reducing campaign costs of party and candidate itself. The regional head candidates do not have to spend a large campaign to gain the trust of a large number of people. Thus, this will avoid corruption if they elected later. In addition, if the legislature members who voted believed to produce the right choice according to his ability as a legislature member would have to know the records of accomplishment of their chosen character. Unlike people, who may only see it at a glance and can only believe the results of imaging alone.  

However, there are many protests that arise. People widely and many mass organizations denounced the election law endorsement indirectly. They assume this is a retreat from democracy. People feel their rights to democracy and elect their leaders have been shackled. They become no longer free to issue his opinion and that is, people's political participation can be reduced.

image source: liputan6.com

Indonesian people against the system of indirect elections because they believe that the election of regional heads through local councils potentially to cause political oligarchs and cartels. Authority board of people also could open up opportunities for former inmates, even corrupt to be the head area. In addition, the area will only be controlled by a handful of elite politics in the council. Even the political emergence of money to bribe the council also becomes easier.

Furthermore, governors, regents and mayors elected only concern would be the messenger of the council members and political parties. The authority of the head of the region could decline to regulate freely and not be subject to the territory as a legislature member who chose them. These concerns make many people protesting to repeal legislation that has been passed. They want their right to vote the head area restored.

Social media sites and street actions coloring this protest. In fact, they say that this law has killed democracy in Indonesia. Writing "RIP" (Rest In Peace) Democracy is carved in tombstone image characterizes these protests. Tens of thousands of people signed a petition to restore the direct election system. At least 32 institutions and organizations of civil society regional head against this decision. They prepare material for judicial law to be submitted to the constitutional court.