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)