Campaign contribution<\/p>\n
If some of the campaign contributions that the United States'
\nDemocratic and Republican parties have been returning to their
\ndonators these past few weeks could find its way to the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party
\n(PDI), the financial woes of the two minority parties would
\nprobably be over. The problem facing the two small parties, with
\nthe general election just over two months away, could not have
\nbeen more startling when compared to the situation that has
\ndeveloped across the Pacific.<\/p>\n
As PPP and PDI gear up for the month-long election campaign,
\nwhich begins April 27, their leaders say they are on the verge of
\nbankruptcy. Both depend heavily on government subsidies, not only
\nfor their daily operations, buildings and congresses, but also
\nfor the May 29 polls and the preceding election campaign.
\nCurrently, they have little in their coffers to prepare for the
\nelection.<\/p>\n
The government has promised to distribute the campaign money
\nsoon, but it has not stated how much will be given to the three
\nparties contesting the election. In 1992, it gave Rp 250 million
\n($104,000) to each of them. This year, PPP says it needs Rp 4
\nbillion ($1.6 million) to take part in the election, including Rp
\n1.7 billion for the campaign. PDI says it needs Rp 1 billion for
\nthe campaign.<\/p>\n
Golkar does not have any financial problems because it can
\ncount the generous contributions received from powerful business
\nconglomerates, including the Lippo Group, which has been at the
\ncenter of the campaign-contribution controversy in the United
\nStates. Unlike in the United States, campaign contribution in
\nthis country is not regulated.<\/p>\n
But what corporations in their right minds would contribute to
\nPPP and PDI? To be associated with the two parties is an almost
\nsure recipe for business failure, especially at a time of
\nincreasing economic competition. As much as we abhor saying it,
\nmoney and politics do mix. In business, a campaign contribution
\nis regarded as an investment, a political investment. There is no
\nsuch thing as charity.<\/p>\n
PPP and PDI should scrape through the election with the tiny
\ngovernment subsidies as they have done in the previous five
\nelections. They will receive some contributions, chiefly from
\ncandidates in return for the privilege of being nominated by
\ntheir party, especially those who eventually get elected.<\/p>\n
The campaign-funding issue has exposed one of the biggest
\nflaws of the general election and the entire political system
\nthat we adhere to. If they are still dependent on government
\nhandouts, can the two minority parties really mount a serious
\nchallenge to Golkar and the government? Some people may dislike
\nthe term handouts, but who are they kidding? PPP and PDI cannot
\nbe independent as long as they are not financially independent.<\/p>\n
This says a lot about our political system. Until Indonesia
\nmakes changes to the system, to one that makes political parties
\ngenuinely independent, PPP and PDI will have to contend with
\nplaying their roles as minority parties -- making up the number
\nin election after election -- in a system that ensures victory
\nfor Golkar.<\/p>\n
The election has often been officially described as a \"fiesta
\nof democracy\". One can't help wonder what the PPP and PDI have in
\nstore for the nation during the campaign period, given the
\nrestrictive campaign rules and their individual financial
\nproblems.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/campaign-contribution-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}