Only PDI Perjuangan supports govt subsidy<\/p>\n
Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
All major political parties, with the exception of President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI Perjuangan), have thrown their weight behind a bill that
\nmoves to scrap government subsidies for political parties.<\/p>\n
Legislators from Golkar party, United Development Party (PPP),
\nand the National Awakening Party (PKB) said the bill would help
\nimprove the loyalty of their constituents.<\/p>\n
\"I agree that political parties should not receive funds from
\nthe government,\" Golkar legislator Ferry Mursyidan Baldan told
\nThe Jakarta Post on Friday.<\/p>\n
He said the move would deter attempts by certain people to set
\nup new parties for financial gain.<\/p>\n
Political parties currently receive a government subsidy worth
\nRp 1,000 (12 US cents) for each vote garnered in the previous
\ngeneral election over a period of five years.<\/p>\n
Based on that calculation, Megawati's PDI Perjuangan, the
\nbiggest faction in the House, is entitled to receive some Rp 35
\nbillion (US$4.2 million) from the government since it garnered
\naround 35 million votes in the 1999 elections.<\/p>\n
Ali Masykur Musa, a senior PKB legislator, shared a similar
\nview.<\/p>\n
\"It (the move) is good to increase people's participation in
\npolitics. In the long run, it will improve their political
\nmaturity,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives (DPR) is currently deliberating a
\nbill on political parties which requires political parties to
\nfinance their own activities.<\/p>\n
It also allows political parties to raise funds through
\nindividual and corporate contributions, but limits individual
\ncontributions to Rp 100 million per year and corporate donations
\nto Rp 500 million per year.<\/p>\n
Political parties are prohibited from receiving funds from
\nstate-owned enterprises, foreigners and humanitarian
\norganizations, a violation of which may lead to the party being
\ndisqualified in the elections or dissolved.<\/p>\n
The bill however does not oblige political parties to have
\ntheir financial statement audited by certified public
\naccountants.<\/p>\n
According to Ali Masykur, scrapping the subsidy would hasten
\n\"the natural selection\" of political parties and allow parties
\nwith a broad vision and realistic programs to stay on.<\/p>\n
Close to 50 political parties participated in the 1999 General
\nElection, but only six met the two percent election threshold,
\nand thereby qualified to enter the next general election.<\/p>\n
However, most parties that did not meet the threshold are
\nplanning to participate in the 2004 election.<\/p>\n
Muhammad Husnie Thamrin, a senior legislator from PPP, also
\nhailed the bill, saying it would boost the independence of
\npolitical parties.<\/p>\n
\"In the past it was fine for the government to provide funds
\nbecause there were only three parties contesting the elections.
\nBut it is inappropriate for the government to help finance
\npolitical parties that number up to 200,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"This will undermine the state budget,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Thamrin said it was ideal for parties to raise funds from
\ntheir supporters and sympathizers. \"This will also educate them
\nand make them more aware of political affairs,\" he said.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan legislator Heri Achmadi said that providing
\nfinancial assistance for parties was still normal as elections
\nwere part of people's political education.<\/p>\n
\"It's very expensive. Parties cannot afford to cover all their
\noperational costs. They need government assistance because the
\npeople are still not accustomed to giving contributions to
\npolitical parties,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Heri said PDI Perjuangan would fight for the continuation of
\nthe government subsidy for political parties.<\/p>\n
Analyst J. Kristiadi from the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies (CSIS) hailed the move to stop subsidizing
\npolitical parties, saying there should be no more money earmarked
\nfor parties.<\/p>\n
\"The move will prevent certain individuals or groups from
\nestablishing political parties in a bid to get funds from the
\ngovernment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He urged parties to collect funds for their operations through
\nfund-raising programs. \"I believe many people or groups are still
\nwilling to make donations to parties fighting for their
\ninterests,\" he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/only-pdi-perjuangan-supports-govt-subsidy-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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