The Presidential Candidates and a Death Sentence

They still talk about Mr. Obama's presidential win and the news evolve around his cabinet, the new chief of staff and how he interits an economy in peril. *sigh* DBS is to cut 900 jobs from its branches, mainly Singapore and Hong Kong.

And in the Straits Times, John McBeth wrote an article pertaining to Indonesia-US ties. There's a photograph of Indonesian students who are studying at Mr. Obama's former school in Jakarta. They are holding his picture. *cute* Mr. Obama went to school in Indonesia between 1967 and 1971. It is also written there that in July, Mr. Obama has told a reporter that he would like to give a speech in Indonesia within 100 days of his election. He's also expected to visit Singapore to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

Thanks to Melanie for her notes on her Facebook, at least I can obtain some information there about our presidential candidates...

They are:

• Governor of Yogyakarta Hamengkubuwono X
• Current President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
• Freedom Institute Executive Director Rizal Mallarangeng
• Chairwoman of Indonesian Justice and Unity Party Meutia Hatta Swasono
• Former Indonesian president Megawati Soekarnoputri
• Former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso
• Former Indonesian State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra
• Former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur)
• Former speaker of People's Representative Council Akbar Tandjung
• Chairwoman of Akar Indonesia Ratna Sarumpaet

Hhmm... looking at the choices, I think I know how Mr. Douglas felt... "grumpy about the choices". Hahahahaha.

Former Jakarta governor Sutiyoso, Former Indonesian State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Former President Abdurrahman Wahid, Former speaker of People's Representative Council Akbar Tanjung will be definitely out of my list...

During his administration as the governor of Jakarta, Mr Sutiyoso has successfully worked "hard" to change Jakarta's image to a city of massive flooding with his bills passing the developments of shopping malls without considering nature conservation. Mr. Yusril Ihza Mahendra is still under investigation, I suppose, for a corruption charge. Mel writes that he also supports the implementation of sharia Islam in Indonesia -- which is of course not suitable for our country's forefathers vision and spirit: being the biggest nation in the world with Muslim population, Indonesia is NOT an Islamic country.

With Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid's health condition, especially his sight impairment, I will not vote for him. I myself am a patient, so I do know that patients have limitations -- we have experienced his administration in 1999 - 2001, that due to this impairment, he had to rely on information from others, and they were people whom absolutely he believed in. Mr. Akbar Tanjung reputation as a corruptor makes me difficult to trust him in ruling Indonesia.

And now... the ladies. Hhhmm... I don't know. I personally believe that a woman would not be able to manage and to rule a big nation like Indonesia with its major problems in monetary crisis in the midst of global financial downturn, multiculturalism, political instability, and many others. Sorry, ladies. Not now =)

Meanwhile, I frowned when I read an article titled "Bali Bombers' execution delayed by 'bad weather'?". Well, apparently it was only a speculation; but signs point to imminent execution. Sigh. Hopefully it's gonna be over soon...