Candidate list draws criticism

Candidate list draws criticism

JAKARTA (JP): Criticism of the composition of the newly issued
list of candidates for the 1997-2002 House of Representatives
came in hard and fast yesterday.

Outspoken Moslem scholar Amien Rais criticized the General
Election Institute for endorsing the provisional list of
legislature candidates which was marked by the strong presence of
relatives of senior civilian and military officials.

"I'm afraid that we'll then get a House of Representatives
which deviates from its function, namely giving voice to the
people's aspirations, and becomes a mouthpiece for the
government," he said.

"Such a House won't be able to make decisions in the interests
of the nation, only in the interests of the officials'
relatives," he said before addressing a seminar at Sari Pan
Pacific Hotel here yesterday.

The list reflected that meritocracy -- a system of value that
respects skills, capability and experience -- did not have a
place in this society, said Amien, chairman of the 28 million-
strong Muhammadiyah Moslem organization.

The list of candidates for the House of Representatives,
especially the one drawn up by the ruling political grouping
Golkar, was generously sprinkled with the names of the offspring
and wives of high ranking government and military officials, he
said.

There were, for instance, the wives of Minister of Information
Harmoko, Armed Forces chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Minister of Home
Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Armed Forces chief of Sociopolitical
Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid. Also listed were four of
President Soeharto's children and one of his daughters-in-law, as
well as a son of Vice President Try Sutrisno.

A political analyst from the National Institute of Sciences
Indria Samego said the list failed to represent the people of the
provinces.

"The candidates' commitment to development outside Java will
surely be poor as almost 60 percent of the candidates likely to
get the legislative jobs live in Jakarta," he said as quoted by
Antara.

Kwik Kian Gie, deputy chairman of the executive board of
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) ex-chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri, said he doubted the credibility of the list
because it accommodated only candidates chosen by Soerjadi, who
ousted Megawati.

None of the 744 PDI candidates approved by the election
institute were Megawati supporters.

Kwik also criticized the election institute because it ignored
the ongoing legal battle Megawati and her supporters have been
waging in the courts against her rival.

Pending the Supreme Court's decision on Megawati's lawsuit
against those who ousted her in a rebel party congress in June
last year, Megawati was still the lawful leader of the party,
Kwik said.

"Therefore, the only legitimate candidates were those selected
by Megawati," he said.

The election institute rejected Megawati's list of candidates
last September.

Deputy secretary-general of the General Election Institute
Walujo confirmed yesterday that Megawati's supporters could lodge
complaints about the list.

Origins

Separately, political observer Rudini suggested that people
should not bother about where the candidates came from. "The most
important thing is for the people to be able to see how the
candidates would later represent them," he told reporters.

"A representative must have the courage to say 'no' to
policies which run counter to public interest," he said.

Rudini, former minister of home affairs, made a fresh call for
a new election system, from the current proportional
representation system to a district system in which candidates
would only represent their hometown.

"With the new system, local people would at least know their
candidates. And, the candidates would know very well the
provinces they represent," he said.

Separately, chairman of the National Screening Committee
Sutoyo N.K. urged the public not to hesitate lodging complaints
to the General Election Institute about any of the candidates.

"We will forward their complaints to the relevant
institutions," he said.

However, complaints should be supported by facts, he said, so
that corrective measures could be taken. Justified complaints may
result in the dismissal of candidates. (imn)