Legislator warns of election fund abuses<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A legislator warned the government yesterday not
\nto use general election funds for buying sprees, citing previous
\nevidence of financial abuse.<\/p>\n
Member of the House of Representatives' state budget
\ncommission Soelaiman Biyahimo called for tighter control over all
\nexpenditures as funds, paid from three successive annual state
\nbudgets since 1995\/1996 fiscal year, had come from the public.<\/p>\n
Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad told a hearing with the
\ncommission on Monday the May 29 election budget was set at Rp
\n214.5 billion (US$90 million).<\/p>\n
Personnel expenditure would amount to Rp 94.5 billion,
\npurchase of goods Rp 45.3 billion and operational costs Rp 74.7
\nbillion.<\/p>\n
The election fund this year is a clear Rp 15.5 billion
\nincrease on five years ago.<\/p>\n
Soelaiman said previous elections had shown all budgetary
\nposts were prone to financial abuses and the mark-up of market
\nprices, including those for paper supply, storage of printed
\nmaterials and delivery expenses.<\/p>\n
\"We have to keep an eye on those who want to tap funds for
\npersonal interest,\" Soelaiman said.<\/p>\n
The May 29 election will be the sixth under the New Order and
\nthe seventh since independence 52 years ago.<\/p>\n
During Monday's session, Mar'ie told the House preparation
\ncosts of Rp 75.1 billion had been covered in the 1995\/1996
\nbudget. Implementation of the election, costing Rp 128.7 billion,
\nhad been earmarked in the current budget year which would end on
\nMarch 31. The administrative completion of the election process
\nwould cost Rp 10.7 billion, to be funded from next year's budget.<\/p>\n
The funds exclude financial aids distributed to the three
\npolitical groupings contesting the election. The ruling Golkar,
\nthe United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democracy
\nParty will be vying for 425 House seats.<\/p>\n
Soelaiman said each party would need at least Rp 1 billion for
\nthe election due to the new election rules.<\/p>\n
The rules, designed by the National Security and Defense
\nCouncil (Wanhankamnas), oblige the three parties to campaign in
\npre-designated areas, sometimes in two far-distant towns on the
\nsame day to avoid a face-to-face meeting of opposing supporters.<\/p>\n
Nearly 125 million people have qualified for the polling day
\nnext May.<\/p>\n
The government granted each election contestant Rp 250 million
\nin 1992. Soelaiman said the amount was smaller than financial aid
\ngiven by certain provinces like East Java and Jakarta which
\nprovided up to Rp 700 million.<\/p>\n
Soelaiman's fellow commission member of PDI faction, Ni Gusti
\nAyu Sukma Dewi, said the government had not paid enough attention
\nto political parties despite the country's impressive record in
\neconomic development.<\/p>\n
The 1973\/1974 state budget allocated a Rp 5 million monthly
\nsubsidy for each political grouping. The subsidy was only
\nincreased by Rp 2.5 million after 23 years, even as Indonesia's
\ngross national product soared to $1,000 per capita. (amd)<\/p>",
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