TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) tweeted today that the passing of the regional elections bill was a step backward for democracy.
He compared today’s democracy with that when he was serving as the president over the last ten years. In his era, the president and vice president, as well as governors, regents and mayors were elected directly.
"We don’t want a degradation of democracy," the President said. He also questioned about the regional election by regional legislative councils (DPRD).
"Who will mandate to the current regional legislative councils to elect regional heads? This means, the sovereignty has been taken by the legislative councils. Will they share [the sovereignty]? What about the people?" he tweeted.
The law should reflect what the people want, SBY said, adding that the government must listen to the people’s aspiration "instead of DPR’s".
SUTJI DECILYA
