Gubernatorial aspirants want old-style elections: Sarwono<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
While many regions have successfully organized direct elections,
\npublic figures in Jakarta are lobbying members of the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) to maintain the indirect election system
\nfor the capital.<\/p>\n
DPR members are now deliberating the draft revision of Law No.
\n34\/1999 on Jakarta as a special capital region. The revision will
\nallow the people to vote for their preferred gubernatorial
\ncandidate in direct elections.<\/p>\n
Jakarta will hold an election to choose its governor in 2007.<\/p>\n
Regional Representatives Council (DPD) member Sarwono
\nKusumaatmadja said here on Thursday that many public figures
\naspiring to become Jakarta governor in 2007 were lobbying DPR
\nmembers in order to keep the current indirect election system in
\nthe capital.<\/p>\n
He said such efforts were carried out by politicians who were
\nnot accustomed to working hard to achieve their political goals.<\/p>\n
\"Or those who still want to be in power although they realize
\nthat they will not get significant support from the people if
\nthey take part in a direct election,\" Sarwono said on the
\nsidelines of a discussion about the environment in the capital.<\/p>\n
He warned that their efforts might be successful because they
\nhave a huge sum of money to support their campaign.<\/p>\n
\"These politicians would prefer to deal with a small number of
\ncity councillors rather than Jakarta residents,\" said Sarwono.<\/p>\n
Several names have been mentioned as potential gubernatorial
\ncandidates in 2007, including deputy governor Fauzi Bowo,
\ncouncillor member Igo Ilham of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)
\nand economist Faisal Basri, who is said to be nominated by PAN.<\/p>\n
Sarwono said that several retired generals have also expressed
\ninterest in running in the gubernatorial election in 2007.<\/p>\n
Currently, revisions to Law No. 34\/1999 on Jakarta as a
\nspecial region are being discussed in the House.<\/p>\n
A politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN), who was
\nspeaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that there was
\nintensive lobbying by certain figures to maintain the current
\nsystem.<\/p>\n
According to the source, those opposing a direct election
\nargue that the exercise would adversely affect security in the
\ncapital, including possible clashes between supporters of rival
\ncandidates.<\/p>\n
Sarwono said whatever the arguments were, efforts to keep the
\ncurrent election system -- where the governor is elected by the
\nCity Council -- were unacceptable because it was not in line with
\nthe democratization already implemented in other regions.<\/p>\n
He called on pro-democracy movements here to thwart any
\nattempt to turn back the tide.<\/p>\n
He even urged the public hear to push for direct elections of
\nall mayors in the capital.<\/p>\n
\"With direct elections, politicians are forced to listen to
\npeople's aspirations, otherwise they will not be elected.
\nTherefore, we must push for direct elections for mayors,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Unlike other provinces, all five mayors and one regent in the
\ncapital are appointed by the governor.<\/p>",
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