Congratulation Mr. President!
I spent the day (like many of the country’s population) following the development of the presidential election since early in the morning. Keeping myself up-to-date with quick count, exit poll, and everything. I didn’t vote though, which is quite embarrassing as I’ve previously written an article intended to show my support to our outgoing vice president, Jusuf Kalla. There were some administrative problems that didn’t allow me to vote. And we have known the result (of course from the quick count, it takes weeks or even a month to get KPU’s official result). SBY will serve again as the president for the next five years, which is both good and bad. Good because as for me when it’s not Megawati, it’s not so hard to swallow. Bad because I have to congratulate Prana, (my die-hard SBY-fan colleague) for the incumbent’s victory.
Here, I just want to share thoughts and feeling about the latest edition of our election:
First, SBY is too lovable to hate. Say whatever bad or negative about him: slow decision maker, too liberal, or too skewed towards the west, but people definitely still love him. So much. He’s more than just a president whose name is household. He’s someone that people can relate to, he’s a leader, a friend, a neighbor, a father. He’s just like a member of people’s family. And the result of both the legislative and presidential election overwhelmingly show that. My mom called me late in the afternoon just to say that she’s so happy that he will be re-elected again. Both my parent are SBY’s supporters. Now with the support of majority of the population, it’s SBY’s turn to deliver all his promises.
Second, JK to my surprise can’t draw large enough votes. And yesterday was absolutely a disappointing day for me and those who support him. Disappointing that he can’t even gain a mere 20% votes or take the number 2 spot behind SBY with all those efforts, campaign tours, advertisements, and debate performances. Two months before the election, I wouldn’t be surprised if he lost. But with everything that he and his team have put in the last month or so, he should have done better. And running with Wiranto definitely doesn’t help much.
Third, Megawati is Megawati. She hasn’t changed. She’s still the same woman who lost the 2004 election. As I always mention, I hate her, politically. But I’m not an eternal hater. And I can give chance for people to change. And I can forgive. With Mega, that’s not the case. As I remember, she didn’t deliver any concession speech in 2004 and that’s awful. I don’t see that it would change anytime soon. I’m now waiting for her concession speech for this 2009 election. Maybe not today, or even tomorrow, but one day when KPU has revealed the official result of the election. A word ‘congratulation’ is enough. I don’t ask much. And just for your info, hours after the election she said about the DPT (fixed electors list) problem again, trying to convince people that there are unbearable scandals and frauds in the election (Boring? Well, that’s Mega that we know, otherwise she wouldn’t be Mega, would she?). I know there are problems here and there, but we have the procedure and rules needed in addressing those problems. And frankly, it won’t change the outcome of the election that much.
Fourth, Prabowo has the potential to be the next Mega. His latest statement saying that the quick count is unreliable is of course seen as a bad sign by those who appreciate academic and scientific efforts (I’m sure his likability index has dropped to an all-time low). Quick count is just a method to predict the result of the election using samples, nothing should be worried about it. If you want to believe it, good. If you don’t, fine, you don’t have to. Well, maybe our stubborn general finds it too difficult to understand statistics. And predictably, he talked loudly about all the irregularities in the election just like his boss. I can’t wait to see how people respond to all of his actions.
Fifth, Zweta Manggarani made my day. Just in case you don’t know, she’s Trans7 news presenter. I might overrate her, but there’s no point of debating preference. Everybody has their own right? I just like her. Yesterday, I could hardly switch the channel from Trans7. Apart from yesterday’s boiling temperature, my waterless AQUA, and MetroTV questionable neutrality, having her on my TV screen was such a relief. As I don’t have problems dating with older woman, I just hope that she’s still single.
