{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1439636,
        "msgid": "parties-solicit-candidates-1447893297",
        "date": "1999-05-17 00:00:00",
        "title": "Parties solicit candidates",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "Parties solicit candidates By May 4, the last day for registration of legislative candidates, many parties were struggling to find candidates for the House of Representatives (DPR) and regional council members. As the time approached midnight, I received a telephone call from an old friend in Semarang (from 1981 to 1983 I was regional office head of a government agency in Semarang).",
        "content": "<p>Parties solicit candidates<\/p>\n<p>By May 4, the last day for registration of legislative<br>\ncandidates, many parties were struggling to find candidates for<br>\nthe House of Representatives (DPR) and regional council members.<br>\nAs the time approached midnight, I received a telephone call from<br>\nan old friend in Semarang (from 1981 to 1983 I was regional<br>\noffice head of a government agency in Semarang). He asked me<br>\nwhether I was willing to be put forward by one of the political<br>\nparties as a legislative candidate representing Central Java. I<br>\nasked him whether the party had many supporters. He was not sure.<br>\nI declined the offer because if they registered me as a candidate<br>\nand I was not chosen, what was the use? It would only embarrass<br>\nme, and I still care for my name. Besides, I was afraid that if I<br>\nagreed to the proposal, I would be asked to contribute money for<br>\nthe party.<\/p>\n<p>Women candidates are very much in demand, because parties plan<br>\nto propose at least 20 percent women candidates. Actually, women<br>\nwith the potential to become legislative candidates are rather<br>\nrare. My wife (a graduate of a teachers' high school only, but<br>\nwith experience in women's organizations) also received an offer<br>\nto be a legislative candidate by a party established by an elite<br>\ngroup of former government officials. My wife also rejected the<br>\noffer, saying she had no experience in politics. She would rather<br>\nbe active in the community and in social work. I was also<br>\nconcerned that a party contribution would be asked of her. As we<br>\nare both retirees and are not rich, we must look for any extra<br>\nincome to make ends meet. Although the salary of a legislator is<br>\nbig -- about Rp 5 million -- there is no certainty whether one<br>\nwill be elected. And just to register as a candidate costs money.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps many people have had similar experiences to us.<br>\nHowever, many other people want to get seats in the DPR. They are<br>\neven willing to pay a great amount of money to their party. It is<br>\nsaid that one well-known party which is already in the present<br>\nDPR charges Rp 100 million for candidates wishing to become<br>\nlegislators in the DPR. Is that true, Pak Hamzah Haz?<\/p>\n<p>SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO<\/p>\n<p>Jakarta<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/parties-solicit-candidates-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}