Leadership, Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategy and Programs

With Election Polling Day of April 9, 2009 is nearing, many people are still wondering whos Party or Legislative Candidate or Presidential Candidate will be his or her best choice. In order to assist the undecided voters, we would like to give a short advise about their best choice:

1. Leadership: Who can be called a Leader? A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way.

2. Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategy and Programs:

A leader must have a good future view or a dream or a vision of the country that he/she is leading: A just, prosperous and democratic country of Indonesia, which would provide good employment for all of the people, sufficient salary to pay for monthly living needs, peace and welfare for all of the people of Indonesia.

In order to realize his/her vision, he/she must be able to express clearly and logically how he/she would like to do when he/she is elected as a Leader through a short term statements of Mission, Objectives, Strategy and programs. These statements are very important for all of the people to understand and follow up during his/her term as a Leader of the country. People can also see if these statements are realizable or not, or just empty slogans to please the voters.

Strategy statement is an explanation of how he/she would achieve the mission and objectives which he/she has made, through a clear, logical, clever, creative and strategic way that can be realized in practice.

Programs are the details of his/her main programs which he/she will execute for the duration of his/her term as a Leader of the country.

A better way for a good Leader is if he/she could express clearly his/her first 100-days Programs as a clear indication of his/her best and correct choice of the most important actions to be done to significantly impact the improvement to the condition of the country he/she is leading. A good example of the Fiist 100-days Program of a Leader is shown by President Barrack Obama of the USA, whom he had shown to follow it as accurately as possible, and did give an impact to the improvement of the country's condition.

If any Legislative Candidate has not made the above mentioned statements, then he/she only have a few days left to make it or amend it. However, for a Presidential Candidate, he/she still have exactly three months to make the required statements or to improve or to amend them.

It is interesting to see how the current positioning of Presidentail Candidates as given in the following two Election Pollings:

http://www.presidenku.com

http://indonesianelection2009.blogspot.com

Whether having the suggested statments of Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategy and Programs could alter the above Election Polling result remain to be seen in three moths time.

We hope the above information will be useful for making your correct decision of our future leaders.

May God bless us all.

Economic Challenges for the Indonesian Presidential candidates 2009

The Legislative Election is only a few days to come, yet many people still do not know the reason why they should choose one or another party or candidate, because they can only see a few parties' banners, slogans or promises along the Indonesian road sides. During the past four-and-a-half year of the current government of President SBY and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, people were experiencing rising oil, food, and basic needs prices, growing unemployment, and growing number of poor people. The current Global Financial Crises only added up to the economic problems of Indonesia, causing reduction in export, business trade, rising US Dollar exchange rate and the fall of domestic shares prices.

People are wandering if the results of the current Legislative Election and Presidential Election could improve the Indonesian economic condition and improve the people's welfare in general, because only a few candidates could express logically and clearly if they are elected, they will execute economic improvement programs for the country during their five-year rule. Most candidates could only make good promises without any further explanations.

However, we were lucky to watch a discussion program on "Economic Challenges" a few days ago at Metro-TV, presenting Dr. Pande Raja Silalahi from CSIS and Dr. Hendri Saparini from ECONID. The two speakers were basically expressing the positioning of "established" presidential candidates: SBY, JK and Megawati; and the "alternate" presidential candidates: Wiranto, Probowo and Rizal Ramli.

The economic policy of the "established" presidential candidates in principle is to start with existing economic conditions, and gradually improving without much significant changes to the existing system. They also welcome the foreign investors and foreign role in the development of Indonesia.

On the other hand the economic policy of the "alternate" presidential candidates in principle is to reject foreign domination in the development of Indonesia, and try to use as much as possible local expertise and resources in the development of Indonesia, and to establish self-sufficency.

The detailed variation of each presidential candidate economic policy is presented as follows:

1. The incumbent President SBY: continue the current economic policy of the current Government, because it was considered to be fairly successful.
2. The incumbent Vice President Jusuf Kalla: (a). Self-sufficiency in rice production; (b). Increase investment; (c). Develop infrastructures.
3. The former President Megawati: (a). Create cheap supply of basic needs of the people; (b). Create more employments; (c). Improve the welfare of the people.
4. The alternate Presidential candidate Wiranto: (a). Change economic direction so as to be free from foreign influence; (b). Indonesian natural resources is mainly for the benefit of the Indonesian people.
5. The alternate Presidential candidate Prabowo: (a). Create a just and right economic policy to ensure the improvement in economic condition of poor people; (b). Peasants and fishermen to become the economic backbone of Indonesia; (c). Developing Indonesia as one of Asian economic "tigers"; (d). Reject the sale of State-owned Enterprises.
   
6. The alternate Presidential candidate Rizal Ramli: (a). Nationalization of foreign-owned Indonesian companies; (b). Reject foreign influence in the development of Indonesia; (c). Reject IMF influence.

It is to be noted that the alternate Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is the most communicative candidate, judging from his almost daily appearance in Indonesian television ads, and his most outspoken views of the future Indonesian economic policy. He is the son of the Indonesian economic "Guru" the late Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djoyohadikusumo.

By knowing the summary of each Presidential candidates, we can now decide whos policy is our best choice to realize the long awaited ideals of the people of Indonesia: A just and prosperous country for all people of Indonesia!

Who is your choice? Please have your comments and suggestions.

On Day-6 Election Campaigning becoming warmer

Today, Saturday March 21, 2009 the situation on all campaigning locations throughout Indonesia were becoming warmer. Presiden SBY with his wife Any Yudhoyono and son Edi Baskoro ware present at Partai Demokrat (PD) campaign at Captain Japa football field, Padanggalak, Denpasar, Bali. The three sang together campaign song of PD "Sempurna" (Perfect) with a few modification of its lyric:

You are my Protector, You are my Leader, You are my Life, Please complete my Life, Oh my Democrate You are ,,, so Perfect..

The Presiden spoke about the successes of his Government that had been achieved up till today. The Padanggalak area was fully filled with PD supporters. Singer Andra and "The Backbone" musical band were present to support the President's campaign team. The Team arrived in Bali using a Garuda Indonesia Airlines executive class flight and a chartered aircraft.

In Makassar on the same day, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his family joined the Golkar campaign for the first time, after his absence from campaign activities of Golkar Party for the first few days. The Vice President said that in order to form a strong government, there should be supports from large political parties. The Golkar Party in Makassar support the candidacy of Jusuf Kalla for the coming Presidential Election on July 9, 2009.

In Central Java Chairwoman of the PDIP Megawati Sukarnoputri attended PGIP campaign at the village of Patalan, Jetis, Bantul near Yogyakarta. She was accompanied by Mr. Theo Syafei, the Regent of Bentul Mr. Idham Samawi and Chirman of PDIP Bantul Mr. Joko Purnomo.She warned again about the manipulation of the Fixed Electors List that could cause the failure of the election. She urged all people to exercise their voting rights and asked them not to join the Non-Voters group, because it would distort the democratic process.

Meanwhile Mr. Muhaimin Iskandar at the Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) campaign in Subang, West Java was proposed by his supporters to become Presidential Candidate for July 9, 2009 election. He was considered as the most eligible candidate since he is young, smart and popular, and was expected to be able to unwind the complex problems of Indonesia.

In Sunter, Jakarta Partai Gerindra held a campaign attended by Permadi, Rachel Maryam, Halida Hatta and Budi Satrio Djiwandono. Several children were present at the campaign to watch clowns acting at the campaign stage, eventhough the Election rule prevent them from attending campaign.

Prabowo Subianto, the popular Presidential Candidate of Geridra, after discussing the serious errors in Electors List with Megawati Sukarnoputri indicated to propose to delay the 2009 Election to correct errors. However Mr. Fadly Zon, the Deputy Chiaman of Gerindrea said that the election should go ahead as scheduled.

Megawati: BLT degrades people's and nation's Dignity

Former President of Indonesia and Chairwoman of the Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (PDIP) in her open campaign speech in Jember, East Java yesterday, Friday, April 20, 2009 said that the Government Program "Direct Cash Assistance" (BLT) to the people only resulted in lowering the dignity of Indonesian people and the nation, because it forced people to be beggars by lining up on a long and overcrowded rows for just to receive a mere Rp300,000 per perperson for three months.

She accused that this program is only for spending government money, which should be better if it is used to build roads, public water supply or toilet, instead of BLT.

On her 30-minute speech, Megawati reminded about the manipulation in the last East Java Governor/Deputy Governor election that resulted in the defeat of PDI supported candidates. She was afraid of the same case happen during the current Legislative and Presidential election. She advised her supported not to participate in money politics that would affect the outcome of the election.

President SBY started his first campaign at Gelora Bung Karno Hall

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) patron of the Ruling Party Partai Demokrat (PD) started his political campaign to support his party's cause for the Legislative Election on April 9, 2009 at Gelora Bung Karno Hall (GBK Hall) today, Friday March 20, 2009 attended by about 50,000 supporters, or about a half of the GBK Hall capacity of 120,000 people.

The President was scheduled to make three 7-minute speeches during today campaign and sang his new campaign song "Sempurna" (Perfect), composed by Andra and sang by "The Backbone" musical band. His previous successful campaign song was "Pelangi di matamu" (Rainbow on your etes). However, the President only gave one 7-minute speech and then left the audience. There was an impression that the President was not happy because the campaign hall was half-fiiled. The President said in his previous Press Conference at his Cikeas residence that he would do campaigning for his PD Party every Friday, Saturday and Sunday till April 5, 2009, the end of open campaigning allowed by the Election Regulator (KPU) for the Legislative Election.

On the same day the Partai Keadilan Bangsa (PKS) held a campaign rally at Blok-S Jakarta on a smaller stadium. The stadium was fully attended by PKS supprters and after the campaign, streets surrounding the area were jammed by the PKS supportes. Chairman of PKS Tifatul Sembiring made his party's campaign speech.

Press Conference: President SBY answered all questions

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Sunday afternoon, March 15, 2009 invited Indonesian Reporters to a Press Conference at his Cikeas residence. He answered all questions related to his candidacy as the President for the period 2009-2014. The following is the summary:

1. Relationship with Megawati: The President extended his offer for a dialog with Megawati Sukarnoputri.
2. About his health: He confirmed that he is healthy and fit.
3. Relationship with Vice President Jusuf Kalla: He will maintained a good working relatioship untill the end of their term as President-Vice President in October 2004.
4. Relationship with the Ministers from Golkar and other parties: They all have given him assurances that their Election campaign activities will not stop them from performing their duties and responsibilities as Ministers. The President confirmed that he will hold command and full control of the Cabinet till October 2009.
5. Choice for his running mate as Vice President 2009-2014: Until the result of the Legislative Election is known, he cannot decide the candidate. However, he set a criteria for his running mate: a capable person, has a high personal integration and correct chemistry.
6. The President SBY assured that no single Party will get a 51% vote, so there must be a Coalition to form a strong Government.
   
7. He assured and hope that the Election Process is conducted in a fair, honest, peaceful and democratic way.
8. The President will announce the beginning of Election Campaign on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 10.00 a.m. He will make a short speech, and declare a peaceful Election.
   

Election is nearing, many peoples still do not know how to cast vote

The Indonesian Legislative Rep Election will be conducted on April 9, 2009 at the same time throughout Indonesia. However, based on a quick survey in various places in Indonesia, only a view knows well how to cast their vote, while the rest seemed not so too sure about it.

Because of a large number of political parties participating in the election (34 parties) and each party has more than one Legislative Rep Candidates, more confusion will occur to the voters, especially most of them do not know in details the track record of each candidate. More likely each voter will cast their vote based on the photograph of the candidate, if they are handsome or beatiful, young or old, friendly looking or frightening, etc.

In order to proof what kind of candidate's appearance that make voters decide to choose, a Poll of Voters' Choice is prepared herewith. Kindly please cast your decision on this polling.

Tifatul Sembiring: Golkar-PKS is a matching Alliance

President of Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) Tifatul Sembiring said on thursday, February 26, 2009 that cooperation between two large parties Golkar and PKS can form a large and powerful political force. His statement was made after the Chairman of Golkar Jusuf Kalla visited PKS Headquarters in Jakarta last night. During the meeting of the two parties, Jusuf Kalla was paired with former Chairman of PKS Hidayat Nur Wahid as running mates for the coming Presidential Election on July 9, 2009.

Tifatul Sembiring said that so far in the Indonesian political environment there were only two blocks of political force, namely S-Block (referring to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) and M-Block (Megawati Sukarnoputri). With the new possible coalition between Golkar and PKS, there will be a new Block of political power that will compete with two others.

Acording to Tifatul Sembiring, Mr. Hidayat Nur Wahid so far is still the PKS candidate for the coming Presidential Election, however, a new cooperation is still open for negotiation between the two parties.

In the meantime, Jusuf Kalla said the his visit to PKS HQ is part of the probing for cooperation between Golkar and other parties. We are conducting a "fit-and-proper test".

In another development, Abdurrahman Wahid, Chairman of Nahdatul Ulama (NU) Supervisory Board and Chief Advisor of Partai Demokrasi Perjuangan (PDIP) Taufik Kiemas had agreed to conduct a "Second Ciganjur Meeting" between NU and PDIP to set up Presidential Election 2009 strategy.

President SBY tried to amend rift between PD and Golkar

Commenting on the news about the statement of Vice Chairman of Partai Demokrat Mr. Ahmad Mubarok on monday, February 9, 2009, President SBY said in a Press Conference on Tuesday February 10, 2009 at his Cikeas villa that Partai GOLKAR is a close ally of Partai Demokrat. As a Patron of the Partai Demokrat, President SBY asked Mr. Mubarok not to make any statements without the consent of the party’s leadership that can cause trouble to the Party.

However, Mr. Mubarok was reported to refuse asking for an aplogy from Golkar, and instead he blamed reporters for twisting his statement. It was reported that Mr. Mubarok predicted Golkar would only secure around 2.5% of peoples vote in April 2009 election.

President SBY ready to compete with Jusuf Kalla in 2009 Presidential Election

Presdent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) said yesterday that he is ready to compete with Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK), Chairman of Golkar Party if he is proposed as Golkar's candidate for the next Presidential Election. However Presiden SBY assured that the candicacy of JK as President 2009-2014 from Golkar Party will not affect the current relationship between him and JK as President/Vice Presiden in the United Cabinet 2004-2009.

He respect the decision of JK as the Presidential Candidate of Partai Golkar. He believe that both men understand the Indonesian Election ethic. In the past, President Megawati also had to compete in the 2004 Presidetial Election with her former Vice President Hamzah Haz. This is Democracy Indonesian style.

Door for Cooperation between PDIP and PD is widely opened

Secretary General of the Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan (PDIP) Pramono Anung said on Friday, Feb 13, 2009 in Jakarta that the door for cooperation between PDIP and GOLKAR is now widely open. He commented on the rift between Partai GOLKAR and its coalition Partai Demokrat (PD) earlier this weeek caused by a statatement made by an official of PD who underestimated the expected votes obtained by Partai Golkar in the coming election. He indirectly said that his Party offered a cooperation between PDIP and Partai Golkar in the next election, after being left by PD.

Because PD had announced that President SBY as its Presidential Candidate for the coming election, with no specific name for the Vice Presidential Candidate, and PDIP also had announced Megawati Sukarnoputri as its Presidential candidate, the chance that the two parties will make a coalition is fairly remote.

Thus according to Pramono Anung, cooperation between GOLKAR and PDIP would be a better possibilty to happen during the coming election.

Wiranto joined 2009 Presidential Election

Former Indonesian Military Chief Retired General Wiranto had joined the Indonesia Presidential Election to be held in July 2009. In his reasoning for joining the Presidential race is that he felt that it was his duty as a responsible citizen to try to help the nation that is badly in of a new President who will lead the country toward peace and prosperity as had been the ideals of our founding fathers.

Wiranto explianed that he was not hunger for a power, because during the transition period from the New Order to the Reformation Order, he could if he wished to grab the Power from the former President Suharto at that time.

Thus his decision to join the Presidential Race in 2009 was purely to help the ailing nation.

Welcome to INDONESIAN ELECTION 2009 Blog!

Welcome to the Indonesian Election Blog!
This Blog is specially created to provide the lates news about the process of the Indonesian Legislative Election on April 9, 2009 and the Presidential Election on June 9, 2009, its preparation, campigning, polling process, election counting and the announcement of the election results.

The election news will also cover any activities of each party, candidates, supporters, fund raising. debate forums, election rallies, etc.

The purpose of the Blog is provide the readers with latest news and facts, so as to ensure the clean, fair and democratic election process, so that the results of the election really represent the real wishes and hope of the people of the Republic of Indonesia.