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Of Demos and Democracy


Neighboring countries that take delight in clamping down on demonstrators please take note.

clipped from www.thejakartapost.com
Democracy award for Indonesians
Ari Hermawan and Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

Indonesia’s relatively peaceful transition into democracy over the past nine years, particularly the free and fair elections in 2004, has earned the citizens of try the prestigious Democracy Award from the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC).

“Indonesia is a shining example to the world,” Ben Goddard, president of the IAPC, said while presenting the award to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Monday.

“Indonesian people, through demonstrations, brought about the collapse of the tyrannical Soeharto regime in 1998, and in 2004, the country held the largest single-day election ever held in the world, which went peacefully,” Goddard said.

Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, also showed to the world that Islam and democracy not only can coexist, but that they can be compatible and support one another, he said.

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6 responses to “Of Demos and Democracy”

  1. Food for thought Avatar
    Food for thought

    My elected Minister in Nazri and Zam back home doesn’t seem to understand the term demo and democracy is all about when it all goes down in the BERSIH 10 eleven rally in KL.

    How the hell on earth can they be the de facto Law Minister and Information Minister in Malaysia? What a joke!

    It’s about time they consult Pak SBY on some house keeping.

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  2. Who Dare to Say the Truth Avatar
    Who Dare to Say the Truth

    As long as UMNO+ BN can still maintain a “good” standard living for your people, it is “dreaming” for the opposition to get support from the majority of your people to make a major change …..

    As I know, the majority of Malaysians are very very conservative …. They have no “willingness” in accepting any major change in your country … Unfortunately, they know that currently there are no “modern and progressive” alternative parties or leaders with a “proven” track record in their “ideology” for establishing New Malaysia …..

    For Malaysians …… may be this old “proverb” will fit…

    “Lepas dari Mulut Singa, kemudian Masuk Mulut Buaya”

    Maybe you have to read our Tan Malaka’s classic book … “Perjoeangan”….. if you want to make a “fundamental change” or “Revolution” in Malaysia hehehe..

    God will bless you …

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  3. Shamshulannuar Avatar
    Shamshulannuar

    Dear “Who dare to say the truth”.

    Yes. You are right. UMNO and BN , despite many attempts to ridiculle them, do deliver. That is the reason why UMNO and BN keep winning General elections , one after another.

    As for the demonstration recently, alright, the views are noted. The truth is that vast majority of Malaysians see no need for such demonstration. These demonstrators are clamouring for “clean electoral process”. My question to them is this” If the electoral process is biased, why opposition parties can still win in election. Why PAS still manage to retain Kelantan in 3 consecutive elections if the electoral process is biased against them.”

    And I see no opposition party that can claim to reprersent the various races of Malaysia. DAP is rejected by the Malays while majority of Chinese are uncomfortable with PAS.

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  4. kamarul Avatar
    kamarul

    @Shamsul: if opposition can retain some of their seats donot mean that theres no cheating

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  5. triedtobehonest Avatar
    triedtobehonest

    I think you guys should read the Indonesian political history, especially in the last 15 years. Almost the same. There’s the Majority party, and the opposition that always able to win some vote. The difference is, in Indonesia it was followed with the monetary crisis of 1997. This was the reason the movement gained support from the majority of Indonesian and in the end brings Suharto down.

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  6. triedtobehonest Avatar
    triedtobehonest

    I have to say, without the monetary crisis, I don’t think Suharto would fall. Most of us believe everything is allright and if the majority party loose, we would loose our comfort zone.

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