Minister to Explain Indirect Regional Election Issue on BDF

Nusa Dua, Bali (Antara) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said his institution will explain the indirect regional election decision set by the Indonesian House of Representatives at the Bali Democracy Forum VII. "We will discuss and explain the issue of indirect regional elections. However, we will not seek to justify, but to share democratic views and explain the Indonesian political situation as well as our effort to develop democracy," Marty said after the closing session of Bali Media Forum here Thursday. According to Marty, the stance of the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono government is clear, that they have rejected the move to end direct elections of regional heads. The decision of the Indonesian House of Representative that made into law the move for Regional House of Representatives to choose regional heads can be one of several issues that will be discussed during BDF VII, Marty said. "Democracy needs a process that has ups and downs. The implementation of the system for indirect election of regional heads does not bother the BDF VII event," Marty said. Each participating country in the BDF VII will bring the issues of democracy in their country for discussion. Thus, Indonesia will take the indirect regional head election issue to the event, the minister said. (*)