Deficit strikes again<\/p>\n
In the wake of announcing that the United Development Party
\n(PPP) is to convene a national congress next month, PPP chairman
\nIsmail Hasan Metareum last week disclosed that his party needs at
\nleast Rp 1.5 billion for the convention but only has Rp 100
\nmillion in its coffers.<\/p>\n
The rest of the story is predictable: The chairman appealed to
\nthe government to provide adequate help with the funding.
\n\"Without the government's contribution we will not be able to
\nhold our congress\", he reportedly said. He revealed that the
\nState Secretariat had promised to contribute Rp 200 million; a
\nfar from sufficient amount.<\/p>\n
Metareum also reminded people that in the past the government
\nhad always borne the costs of congresses held by the ruling
\npolitical organization, Golkar, the PPP and the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party, PDI. Now, for the umpteenth time, deficit
\nstrikes again and we are reading the same sad old story about a
\npolitical party that is unable to hold a convention because it is
\nshort of funds.<\/p>\n
Some people may argue that the source of the problem is that
\nthe political parties here are captives of the current political
\nsystem which renders them unable to function as \"real\" parties --
\nfree, to a certain extent, to accept donations, with card-
\ncarrying members who pay fees and with branches at all levels of
\nsociety, including in villages.<\/p>\n
But as a consequence of what is referred to as the \"floating
\nmass\" system, one can clearly feel the presence of the political
\nparties only once every five years, when they are about to
\nconvene a national congress, or before the general elections.
\nCritics claim that the current system practically closes the door
\nto the provision of adequate political education to the masses
\nand blocks the path toward the growth of political party
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
However, defenders of the present system argue that the
\ncurrent political format is best for a developing country which
\nmust concentrate on development by maintaining political
\nstability. Too much political activity could presumably endanger
\nstability.<\/p>\n
Political debate aside, the fact that our political
\norganizations -- with the exception of Golkar, which seems to
\nhave no financial problems -- must depend financially on the
\ngovernment should be amended. As things are the government has to
\nassist the parties with monthly allowances. Even their
\nheadquarter buildings are donations from the government.
\n How can a political party claim to be independent if it has to
\nrely on government funds? How can congress delegates from the
\nparties' regional chapters not feel indebted if they have to rely
\non the \"charity\" of local government authorities to enable them
\nto travel and attend the congress?<\/p>\n
True, one could always argue that the government's
\ncontribution to political parties is acceptable, or is even
\nperfectly right since the money comes from state funds and is
\nthus public property.<\/p>\n
We believe, though, that one way or another we have to find
\nways to enable political parties to resolve their own financial
\nproblems. This could be done either by amending the current
\nsystem or by improving the climate so that donors will not feel
\ndiscouraged, or even frightened, to give contributions to any of
\nthe three existing political organizations.<\/p>\n
At present, we are still in the process of formulating our
\nPancasila democracy and we believe that finding means to free our
\npolitical parties should be part of the agenda.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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