Presidential Election 2014

It's a historical moment for Indonesia. The biggest country in South East Asia will decide its future for the next 5 years. It's time for the nation to vote for their leader, the president and vice president that will lead them, hopefully to a better future. 

As a part of this nation, I also see the day as a crucial day when we celebrate democracy and our freedom to choose. For the past 2 months we have seen 2 candidates giving it all to win the heart of the nation. Ultimately, it all comes down to this very day. All the campaigns, black or negative, we have seen them all. We will be the judge, and we will choose sides. Are you in the left side or in the right side?

Comparing to the previous presidential election, where the winner was somehow determined from the very start, this time it isn't as easy to predict the result. One of the candidate has a dark past that no one could deny, comes from a strong military background, and with strong and powerful supporters lining up behind him. He has built his image slowly but surely for the last several years, and to my surprise has managed to win so many hearts of the people in Indonesia, and has brought up his political party, Gerindra, to reach the top during the last legislative election. The other candidate is a black horse that came in the spotlight just a few years back, after his excellent leadership and performance as the mayor of Solo. He was then chosen as the governor of DKI Jakarta and with the urgency surrounding Indonesia, was asked to leave his governor seat by the enormous public and political demands, and was proven eligible to lead the country as a president. His running for presidential seat wasn't smooth, as he received so many unjust judgements and black campaigns from those who dislike him. But his down-to-earth appearance and personality are the main key to grasp regular citizens' votes. 

Both candidates have proven to be strong leaders that receive so many attentions from both Indonesia and international world. This year's election is heating up with so many conflicts, prejudice, scandals, rumors, controversies, and everything that you need to spice up the atmosphere. Indonesia is not in a good condition. The election affects our economical and political affairs, stirring up so many heated arguments and creating new enemies from friends. No one knows how it will end. Speculation about riots after the election is running wild like a fire. We will need a lot of efforts to keep the fire from spreading and ruin this country. 

Nonetheless, I strongly suggest we, as Indonesian, stay level-headed and rational regardless the result of this election. May the best leader wins, and may Indonesia strives toward a better state and let's start the peaceful revolution.