TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Sovereign People Movement, a joint organization of civil community, commented on the regressing democracy in the realization of indirect Local Election. Bahrain from Indonesian Legal Aid said that Indonesian democracy is at stake. "The people’s democratic rights have been ripped off by the government," he told Tempo.
Bahrain said that people’s democracy is now silenced by the Local Election bill. Amid President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s issuance, it does not mean that direct local election will be realized.
"We have been fighting for democracy for 16 years. At this moment, the government crumbles it before our eyes," said Bahrain. "People power might recur."
A member of Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia Irhash Ahmady also said that the movement plans to continue the peace action until the election on October 20. "We will march to the Constitutional Court and palace tomorrow, demanding them to return the people’s right," said Irhash. He claimed that the action is an attempt to reject all kinds of political violation and the shutting down of people’s participation in politics.
DEVY ERNIS
