Screening of communists no longer needed<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Candidates for the 1997 general elections may
\nnot have to undergo the military special screening procedures,
\naimed at weeding out those with communist links, because there is
\nno longer requirement for it.<\/p>\n
Former home minister Rudini revealed in a discussion yesterday
\nthat President Soeharto agreed to the end of screening election
\ncandidates in 1992. But the President's support came too late, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
This bit of information was previously unknown to the public.<\/p>\n
Rudini said when he was minister and overseeing the 1992
\nelections, he had decided "that there would be no screening." The
\nPresident had agreed to his recommendation, Rudini said.<\/p>\n
As it turned out, however, the military had already issued
\ninstructions for the screening.<\/p>\n
Rudini, who also chaired the 1992 national elections
\ncommittee, said authorities then had to find a "middle way" for
\nthe differing stance between his office and the military.<\/p>\n
"We agreed to the screenings but everyone, except the most
\nextreme, were to pass the procedures," he said.<\/p>\n
"Practically and theoretically," there is no need for
\nscreening now, Rudini said.<\/p>\n
He added screening, or usually called "special examinations",
\nis outdated given the current political stability.<\/p>\n
Of course the decision for the 1997 elections lies with the
\ncurrent authorities, he said.<\/p>\n
Bakorstanas, a security coordinating body, is the agency with
\nthe authorities to screen prospective officials and politicians.
\nAnyone found by it to have past communist links cannot enter the
\nbureaucracy nor can they become a leader of a political
\norganization.<\/p>\n
Rudini was among the speakers in a workshop discussing the
\nfirst phase of a study on election systems by the Center for
\nInformation and Development Studies.<\/p>\n
He said many ex-political prisoners now have the right to vote
\nand the right to be elected.<\/p>\n
"Screening should only be done by request of organizations
\n(who suspect certain members)," Rudini said.<\/p>\n
Some parties, including the Armed Forces (ABRI), have said
\nscreening may still be needed to prevent infiltration of former
\ncommunists into Golkar and the other political parties.<\/p>\n
Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) have complained that screening has
\nbeen used to block their candidates from joining elections.<\/p>\n
"That is just an excess of subordinates abusing orders," said
\nRudini.<\/p>\n
Legislator and PDI executive Sabam Sirait agreed to the end of
\nscreening.<\/p>\n
He said it is up to political parties to ask authorities to
\nscreen their candidates if necessary.<\/p>\n
No party wants a candidate that can cause its defeat, he said.<\/p>\n
By screening only on request, the government would facilitate
\nhonest and fair elections, he said.<\/p>\n
Rudini said one way of preventing public servants dominating
\nelections could be the detachment of the elected President and
\nappointed ministers of their membership of political
\norganizations.<\/p>\n
Because public servants are members of the compulsory Korpri
\norganization under the Golkar ruling party, they also strive to
\nwin votes for Golkar, the speakers said.<\/p>\n
Rudini, Sabam and Aisyah Amini of the United Development Party
\ndescribed incidences in past elections, showing how bureaucrats
\nwho handle elections work in favor of Golkar.<\/p>\n
Rudini said the current proportional system is best as it
\nreflects "our familial, cooperative spirit."<\/p>\n
In past elections votes for Golkar are sometimes given to the
\nother political parties, he said.<\/p>\n
Other speakers were Golkar member Theo Sambuaga and political
\nscientist Bintan Saragih. (anr)<\/p>",
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