Ex-military candidates and democracy.

(From The Jakarta Post)

The emergence of two figures with military backgrounds as presidential candidates has spread fears of a revival of militarism in the country. It has also generated fear that militarism could hinder and endanger the development of democracy.

Others, however, simply don't care about the backgrounds of the candidates, so long as they can provide better conditions for the public when elected.

Gen. (ret) Wiranto of the Golkar Party and Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Democratic Party, both have extensive military experience and occupied strategic military posts in the past. The era of political reform here provided them with an opportunity to put their best strategies forward to solve the nation's problems.

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