Today is the first anniversary of the coalition government lead by President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono (SBY) and Vice President Boediono.
As planned, thousands of people have staged anti SBY-Boediono demonstrations in several cities like Jakarta, Bandung, Padang, Makasar, saying they both failed to fulfill their election campaign promises, and therefore demanded that they both should resign.
Some of the demonstrations were anarchic, for example in Jakarta the Police was forced to open fire and shot one student and arrested two others. The shooting is now being investigated.
For me, the demonstrations brought mixed feelings, on the one hand I felt happy because there are people who represented me in expressing disappointment at SBY's government. This is obvious because I have given my vote for him during presidential elections in 2009 and 2004.
On the other hand I am sad because of two reasons. Firstly, some of the demonstrations were anarchic.
secondly, the demonstrators demanded the resignation of of SBY-Boediono, while actually the government was a coalition of several parties a.o SBY's Democrat Party, Golkar Party, PKS. In other words, if the government failed, all those parties should back-off from the coalition too, and new election should be held.
Considering that SBY-Boediono won more than 60% popular votes during last year's election, they have only
spent the first year of their five years term, and until now we still do not have other candidates who are better, I felt that it would be much better to give them more chance to carry on..
For details, please read the following media articles :
- We will Open Fire on "Anarchic Demonstration" Jakarta Police said (J. Globe).
- Hundreds mark SBY first year in second term with protest in Makasar (J. Post).
- SBY Dianggap Gagal Sejahterakan Rakyat (Kompas)
- Satu Mahasiswa Tertembak, Dua Ditangkap (Kompas)
7 comments:
Disillusion among voters is quite common after a government or president has been in office one or two years, say halfway the full term. Ask Obama.
From where I am the SBY administration indeed appears to be slow and extremely appeasing where tough measures are wanted. It didn't not tackle fanatical religious groups nor did it pursue a clear, coordinated and resolute anti corruption course.
So I can see why people protest. But they should keep in mind a) what the alternative would be (Prabowo, Wiranto, Megawati or Bakrie?) and b) it is not yet 2014.
What I can't understand though is why in a democratic system any sensible police commander in advance would announce a shoot-to-kill order in case demonstrations would turn "anarchistic" by which he meant "chaotic". Such an extreme and tough decisiveness has always been lacking when the FPI was involved.
Provided there is a right to demonstrate ( and there is such a right in Indonesia), everyone knows some demonstrations will be "anarchistic" by definition.
So what was the message government and Police did send here to the inhabitants of Jakarta? That people would better stay at home if they didn't want to get killed? Which is outrageous.
One student has died now. That is ( literally) a bloody shame for which the Police commander is responsible
another death in vain.
I prefer to wait for the government of SBY finished and no longer choose the wrong one. sudden changes are always bad in all aspects (especially the economy) to the people of Indonesia.
I fully agree with you, mas Harry !
@Colson,
I've got a whole lots of disappointments on the present govt that I have voted, a.o reflected on my previous posts on this blog.
But we have no better alternative leader, so the best way would be to accept them and observe their moves.
I agree that the Police chief should be responsible for the shooting yesterday.
@Reborn
Yes we should give SBY a chance to do finish his job, or at least until two more years.
If others want to replace him they have to wait till 2014.
@Pak Utomo,
I am very glad that we share the same opinion on this matter. Thanks.
terima kasih.. saya baru pemula dan mohon bimbingannya. saya akan sering mampir ke blog anda untuk saling bersilaturahmi. terimakasih sudah follow balik, dan selamat berteman :)
setahun pemerintahan sby-budiono agaknya belum menampakkan perubahan signifikans. yang makin repot, para pengunjuk rasa justru malah sering jadi korban kekuatan represif. makin repot.
@Novi Irama Ayu,
Senang sekali saya berkenalan dan berteman dengan anda. Terima kasih.
@Sawali,
Penampilan pemerintahan memang menyedihkan.
Tapi karena usianya bari 1 tahun sedangkan masa jabatan mereka 5 tahun, maka mereka perlu diberi kesempatan untuk menyelesaikan pekerjaannya. Apalagi saat ini belum terlihat alternatif pimpinan yang lebih baik.
Mari kita turut mengawasinya.
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