Markus Junianto Sihaloho & Ezra Sihite, Jakarta – The decision of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party to walk away from direct local elections is a terrible departing gift from a leader and party that have led Indonesia for the past decade, political analysts say.

Ray Rangkuti, director of the Indonesian Civil Circle (LIMA), said the part played by Yudhoyono and Democratic lawmakers in passing the Regional Elections Bill early on Friday was "irresponsible" and "regrettable."

The House of Representatives voted 226-135 in favor of passing the bill, which takes away people's right to vote for mayors, district heads and governors, and gives it instead to regional legislatures. Yudhoyono's Democratic Party walked out on the plenary session, effectively sealing the bill's fate.

"It is unfortunate that at the end of Yudhoyono and the Democratic Party's term they gave an unwanted present to the almost 80 percent of Indonesians that supported direct local elections," Ray said.

Although Yudhoyono expressed his disappointment with the legislature's passing of the law at a press conference in the United States, Ray said the Democrats' decision to walk away from the session was predictable.

The party's issuing of a conditional 10-point list of measures for improving the administration of regional elections – 10 days before the vote on the bill – was a clear indication the party, and Yudhoyono, was against direct elections, he said.

Just hours after Indonesians woke to find their right to vote for regional leaders had been scrapped, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was being feted in Washington DC.

Yudhoyono, who leaves office next month, was hosted at a special event held by United States-Indonesia Society (USINDO) on Thursday, and awarded for his contribution to strengthening the relationship between the two nations.

However, Ray said the president's stand on the bill, as the Democratic Party chairman, was a poor example of democracy in practice.

Yudhoyono's position on democracy was contrary to the image he was cultivating internationally, he said. "He has received so many democracy developments rewards. But he is returning [Indonesia's politics] to the New Order..."

President-elect Joko Widodo also expressed his disappointment in lawmakers who helped pass the bill and urged Indonesians not to forget the parties responsible.

"People must make a note, which political parties have robbed them of their political rights, people must write them down," Joko, the departing Jakarta governor, said on Friday.

Budi Arie Setiadi, chairman of Joko's volunteer group, Projo, said Yudhoyono's administration had showed its true face. "The future of democracy is seriously threatened. How could people remember him as a democratic figure?"

Ari Junaedi, a political analyst from the University of Indonesia (UI), said the vote would leave a negative legacy for Yudhoyono's 10-year administration.

However, he said the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) seemed to be caught off guard. "The PDI-P should have been able to predict the Democrats' chameleon-like attitude. They pretended to support direct local elections but the fact is they stabbed the [PDI-P] in the back."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indirect-election-fiasco-tarnishes-sbys-legacy-analysts/