The Need to Build Bridges

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A grass seeker walks in front of a banner posted by residents containing an invitation to nurture the spirit of peace ahead of the general election in Dadapan hamlet, Ketep village, Sawangan district, Magelang regency, Central Java, Friday (1/3/2019). The invitation to maintain peace continues to be encouraged to reduce the potential for inter-community disputes due to differences in choices in the upcoming election.

The public’s concentration seems to be firmly focused on issues relating to the simultaneous elections on April 17.

On that day, more than 196 million voters will elect a president for the 2019 to 2024 period, as well as members of the House of Representatives and Regional Representatives Council.

So important is the democratic contestation that the campaign teams from both camps call it “total war”, with all resources being used to win it. Calling the election a “war” does not feel right. Elections are a manifestation of people’s sovereignty in choosing their leaders, while contesting candidates offer ideas.

Election day will determine Indonesia’s future. Whether the ongoing development will be corrected and redirected in other directions will be determined on that day. Whether President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who is paired with Ma\'ruf Amin, gets reelected or hands over the mandate to contenders Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno will the decided by the people. The election presents a choice between “continue” or “change”.

There will be life after April 17. There is no need to use all our resources for the contestation let alone sacrifice our brotherhood or friendship. There will still be loads of work to do after the elections. Democratic Party Joint Command (Kogasma) leader Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono poses an interesting question: Is Indonesia ready to adopt a United States-style political system? The idea of revisiting the electoral and constitutional systems as well as other issues that are urgent must be scheduled after April 17 or at least until after Oct. 20 when the president is set to be inaugurated.

Members of the campaign teams said the number of loyal supporters for each candidate had reached 90 percent. And it looks like militant voters will not change their political outlook. It seems like a dividing wall has

been erected between the two political blocks.

In the current political climate, when the public is divided, what is needed is a bridge -- a bridge that can connect the two separate blocks, as well as one that can be used as a communication channel. Bridges are needed in order to exchange ideas between the two contestants, while a communication bridge is needed to avoid polarization.

Apart from bridges, this nation needs statesmen who are concerned about the fate of the nation, statesmen who can release moral statements with regards to the national situation, statesmen who can remind us how dangerous fake news is and how provocative statements by political elites can have an impact on the public. Some political elites seem to have lost their honor.