Most Indonesians want direct elections of local leaders: Poll

September 10, 2014

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JAKARTA, Indonesia – A poll released Tuesday (September 9th) by the Indonesian Survey Circle (LSI) found that 81% of responders oppose a bill about to be passed by the House of Representatives that would end direct elections of local leaders, local media reported.

LSI researcher Adjie Alfaraby said about 11% of the 1,200 respondents wanted to see local lawmakers elect local leaders, and almost 5% said the president should appoint them, the Jakarta Globe reported.

Meanwhile, the National Awakening Party (PKB) denounced the proposed bill.

"We urge all factions in the House of Representatives to support the blossoming democracy in our beloved country," PKB House leader Marwan Jafar said.

Indonesian Parliament Watch (Formappi) co-ordinator Sebastian Salang said the bill was "an attempt to emasculate or betray the sovereignty of the people", according to Tempo.co.

However, Golkar Party politician Nurul Arifin said the proposed law would save money, eliminate money politics and prevent conflict, the Globe reported.

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- sisko
  
  September 10, 2014 @ 12:09:43AM
- It seems that right now, the disintegration signs of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, along with the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila, are becoming clearer. The generation of political elites and commentators no longer understand the history of our country's founding because changing the preamble of the 1945 Constitution is a form of treason! The one thing our heroes fiercely fought for, democracy has seemingly given us the freedom to act any way we want; this is blatant destruction of values! With the appointment of regency head/mayor by the Regional House of Representatives, I am certain there will be no more politicization of civil servants and our society will not be divided like it is now and even indifferent! Just change our constitution and change our state principles.

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