Activist insists KPU members must be credible

JAKARTA (JP): To save the General Election Committee (KPU) from skepticism, the government must appoint individuals who are credible and respected by the country as its representatives in the body, the Movement for National Justice and Unity (GKPB) urged on Friday.

In a news conference here, GKPB coordinator Sarwono Kusumaatmadja warned that public confidence would quickly wane, thus putting the election in jeopardy, if the government insists on appointing its functional bureaucrats to represent it in the Committee.

"Don't victimize a free and fair election by insisting on the principle of functionality," said Sarwono, himself a former Golkar secretary-general and government minister.

Without mentioning names, Sarwono said retired officials could be a potential source of candidates.

The Committee, to be set up once the temporary 11-member General Election Institute finishes verifying political parties' eligibility to contest the polls, will have the task of formulating guidelines to oversee the running of the June 7 polls.

Guidelines

Among the guidelines will likely be campaign regulations and requirements for societal groups who wish to have representatives in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

The new Assembly will consist of the 500 House of Representatives (DPR) members, 135 regional representatives appointed by the provincial legislature and 65 representatives from societal groups.

According to the government's own schedule, the General Election Committee should be established by March 1.

Reports last week that the government had appointed active officials as its representatives to the Committee provoked a public outcry.

Many fear a return to the past habit of poll rigging in an effort to preserve the status quo.

Public trust of bureaucrats is very low at present, Sarwono said. "Besides, there's actually no incentive at all for the government (to side with one party) given that many parties will contest the polls."

GKPB also urged all independent electoral watchdogs to work together to make the elections a success.

It invited all existing monitoring committees, both international and domestic, to jointly set up a chain of poll information booths to educate voters.

"These information booths (set up in public places) will be an effective means to familiarize people with the election laws, voting procedures, political parties and the work of the poll watchdog," the party said in a statement. (aan)