2004 polls augurs 'no significant change'

2004 polls augurs 'no significant change'

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta

Despite praise from the international community, the April 5
legislative election is unlikely to bring about significant
political and social changes, a seminar concluded.

Komarudin Hidayat of Paramadina Mulya University in Jakarta
said both the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the
political parties that contested the polls failed to break with
the political traditions inherited from the New Order regime.

"The KPU, which devoted much of its energy to procedural
issues, overlooked widespread violations of substantial election
regulations, such as the use of fake diplomas and money politics
by legislative candidates. On the other hand, political parties
were unable to stop such practices, if not actually instigating
them," Komaruddin said at a seminar organized to commemorate the
21st anniversary of The Jakarta Post here.

He lamented the fact that corruption, which he said was deeply
rooted in the country's institutions, including the KPU and
political parties, had compromised the election outcome.

"It is a sad to see the decay of the social system has shifted
to the political system," he said.

Indonesia won plaudits from the international community for
its legislative election, which was called fair and transparent
despite some logistical shortcomings.

The results of the election, however, have been greeted by
some pessimism, with political parties not known for their
commitment to reform maintaining a grip on power.

Golkar Party, which was the political machine of Soeharto, is
assured of victory in the polls with 21.18 percent of the vote,
followed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) with 19.40 percent.

A political expert from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences,
Mochtar Pabottingi, said the political structure left by the New
Order regime remained intact and had gained new strength in these
elections.

"The regime that plundered the country is still in control of
the country regardless of any political processes that has been
underway," Mochtar said.

He said the legislative election would produce lawmakers
resistant to change, much like the current legislators who were
elected in 1999.

However, he expressed optimism the public would challenge this
drifting away from democracy.

"The public is aware now more than ever that they want
changes. Recently, we witnessed a growing movement to oppose
money politics during the elections, a campaign against crooked
politicians and other people demanding a greater say in the
political process," he said.

Despite the challenges, Mochtar said democracy was the most
suitable political arrangement for the country, as it provided
checks and balances among state institutions.

A political observer at Airlangga University in Surabaya,
Daniel Sparinga, said the recent legislative election would not
provide a boost to reform.

"The true winners of the election hailed from the conservative
and nationalist camps, who are moderate in the transition toward
democracy," Daniel said.