Electoral law revision opposed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.
\nrejected yesterday demands by the minority parties that the
\nelectoral law be revised.<\/p>\n
Yogie said the 1997 election will proceed without any change
\nin the electoral law passed in 1985 because the legislation is
\nstill relevant to the current stage of political development.<\/p>\n
\"With the existing laws, the government will be able to
\norganize next year's general election better than it has in the
\npast,\" Yogie said at the opening of a three-day workshop of
\ngovernors.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) have been pressing ahead with their
\ndemands for amendment of the law, to allow more democratic
\nelections.<\/p>\n
The PPP, which has its powerbase in the Moslem community, has
\nsubmitted an \"initiative\" bill on the amendment to the House of
\nRepresentatives. The move has gained the support of the PDI but
\nwas flatly rejected by the dominant ruling party, Golkar.<\/p>\n
The minority parties are seeking to end the President's
\n\"monopoly\" of the organization of the general election. They also
\ndemand that they, like Golkar, be involved in the whole electoral
\nprocess -- from the planning to the count.<\/p>\n
Yogie advised that critics should look at the existing
\nelectoral law more closely before they press their demand for
\nchange.<\/p>\n
\"I don't want to hear anyone oppose the law without having
\nsound knowledge of it,\" Yogie said.<\/p>\n
The minister also asked the assembled governors of the 27
\nprovinces to tighten control over the distribution of alcoholic
\ndrinks which are widely blamed for rising crime, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that the problems arise because Indonesia has
\nno laws pertaining to sale of liquor. Every province has their
\nown regulations on this, he explained.<\/p>\n
\"Provinces which do not have regulations should make some
\nsoon,\" he advised. (pan)<\/p>",
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