KPU to assist parties with code of ethics<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has decided to speed up
\nits plan to facilitate a meeting among political parties from
\nJanuary next year to December, to set up a code of ethics that
\nwill promote non-violent activities ahead of, during, and after
\nthe 2004 elections.<\/p>\n
KPU deputy chairman, Ramlan Surbakti, said on Tuesday that the
\ncode of ethics could only be set up after Dec. 2 when KPU
\nannounces parties eligible to join in next year's elections.<\/p>\n
Besides, he said, KPU also needs time to prepare their
\nproposal for the parties' code of ethics.<\/p>\n
\"Basically the code of ethics will require all parties to
\ncarry out their activities peacefully,\" Ramlan told reporters
\nafter the commission's plenary meeting on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
He said KPU would propose, among other things, that a party
\nmust not claim a territory as its own area and must not prohibit
\nother parties from conducting activities there.<\/p>\n
A political party should also agree to accept another parties'
\nvictory and must not call on its members to carry out
\ndemonstrations, according to him.<\/p>\n
The code of ethics will essentially become the 'rules of the
\ngame' during the 21-day campaign period in March, aside from the
\ncommission's instructions on campaign procedures, he added.<\/p>\n
Political parties have reportedly agreed to meet each other to
\nset up a code of ethics in order to avoid violence -- such as
\nthat of the Buleleng, Bali clash -- from recurring. Political
\nanalysts and non-governmental organizations have reportedly
\nexpressed their support of the idea.<\/p>\n
Alleged members of the Indonesian Democratic Party for
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) and Golkar Party were involved in
\nbloody clashes recently that killed at least two Golkar members.<\/p>\n
Aside from the code of ethics, Ramlan said KPU would no longer
\nwait for consultation with the House of Representatives to decide
\non the controversial allocation of seats for the 2004 House.<\/p>\n
\"We will decide on the seat allocation for the House by
\nourselves, but we will inform the House of our decision,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
According to him, KPU's decision not to consult the House over
\nseat allocation was taken following the Supreme Court's response
\nto its request, which implied that the commission has the
\nauthority to resolve problems arising from seat allocation.<\/p>\n
\"We will immediately issue instructions on the seat allocation
\nfor the House,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The allocation of 550 seats for the House has drawn complaints
\nfrom legislators from North Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua provinces
\nas they would have less seats than allocated in the 1999
\nelections.<\/p>\n
For example, Maluku, which was allocated six seats for the
\nHouse in the 1999 elections, would have to share three seats with
\nnew province North Maluku, thus it would only be allocated three
\nseats.<\/p>\n
Ramlan also commented on the planned budget cut, saying KPU
\nhad sent a letter to the House to review the latter's
\nrecommendation to the government, to reduce the commission's
\nbudget from Rp 3.9 trillion to Rp 3 trillion.<\/p>\n
\"We hope that the House will rethink its recommendation to cut
\nour budget,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, KPU member Mulyana W. Kusumah, who is in charge of
\nthe ballot-boxes tender, said PT Survindo Indah Prestasi won the
\nballot-boxes tender as its technical specifications were
\nsuperior, including rate of production, quality and dimensions.<\/p>\n
The decision will be presented at the commission's plenary
\nmeeting for approval, according to him.<\/p>",
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