Money politics<\/p>\n
I am writing in response to intensive reports in the capital's
\ndailies of May 27, May 28 and May 29 regarding Ms. Wardah
\nHafidz' exposure of findings of money politics by the Golkar
\nParty and the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR), the denials made
\nby those two parties and the terror sustained by Ms. Hafidz.<\/p>\n
For the sake of both the organization of a general election
\nbased on direct, free, confidential, honest and fair principles
\n-- which is everybody's dream -- and the sincere recognition of
\nwhatever may be the outcome of the election by all political
\nparties taking part in the election so that the likelihood of
\npostelection conflicts may be removed, I wish to call for a fair
\nand transparent settlement of the allegations and denials of
\nmoney politics practices.<\/p>\n
This should be done with reference to the existing facts and
\npursuant to the prevailing laws by the Election Supervisory
\nCommittee\/General Elections Commission and other relevant
\nauthorities prior to June 7, 1999, so that other political
\nparties and the community may be informed of and judge for
\nthemselves the said decision\/settlement and then give their
\nresponse to it (acceptance, rejection or abstention).<\/p>\n
This is a matter of crucial importance that must be decided
\nupon immediately. If it is left unsettled, it may serve as a
\npostelection time bomb as other political parties may this as a
\npretext to reject the validity of the result of the elections,
\nespecially if Golkar and PDR collect more votes than other
\nparties, or if their lot exceeds what has been estimated by
\npolitical experts or by the many polls conducted by various print
\nand electronic media.<\/p>\n
Thorough settlement of this matter is very important,
\nparticularly regarding Golkar and PDR, because if the alleged
\nmoney politics practices by these two parties cannot be proved,
\nthis will clean up the reputation of these parties. On the other
\nhand, if an Election Supervisory Committee examination of the
\ndata presented by Ms. Hafidz proves that the allegation of money
\npolitics is true, the committee should not hesitate to impose a
\nheavy sanction, pursuant to the General Election Law, on Golkar
\nand PDR and also their participation in the upcoming June 7
\nelection. In this regard, the two parties must open-heartedly
\naccept the committee's decision.<\/p>\n
As for other political parties, I would like to call on them
\nto respond to this matter right away and not to make a fuss about
\nit in the postelection period as this will be but an attempt to
\nfind a scapegoat to foil the general election. Obviously, this is
\nbut a reflection of egotism and unfairness and can bring shame on
\noneself.<\/p>\n
Now to Ms. Wardah Hafidz. If you stand by the truth of the
\ndata you have collected, I support you and wish to extend my high
\nrespect to you for your great courage and unflinching stand in
\nexposing irregularities, no matter who the perpetrators are.<\/p>\n
WISDARMANTO GS<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/money-politics-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }