Court urged to probe LDP aid to Golkar

Court urged to probe LDP aid to Golkar

JAKARTA (JP): The National Elections Committee (PPI) called on
the Supreme Court to investigate agricultural aid from the
Japanese Liberal Democrat Party (LDP), channeled through the
Golkar Party.

"The Supreme Court must conduct a thorough and transparent
investigation into the provision of LDP assistance to Indonesian
farmers through Golkar because it is against the law," PPI
Chairman Jacob Tobing told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

As reported by state-run TVRI station late Friday, Golkar
deputy chairman Abdul Gafur received agricultural aid from
Japan's ruling LDP for Indonesian farmers.

The 1999 law on political parties bars foreign aid
contributions.

Jacob said there were fears Golkar would use government
contributions for its own purposes prior to the June elections.

"The use of money politics is apparent because the aid was
provided just before the elections.

"Golkar has committed two mistakes: receiving foreign aid and
employing money politics. If proven guilty for the two
violations, Golkar should be disqualified," Jacob said.

Sri Edi Swasono, a member of the National Front, said it was a
severe error on the part of the LDP to channel its aid through
Golkar.

"The LDP hurts Indonesian people's hearts," he said on
Saturday after addressing a seminar on postelection democracy in
Yogyakarta.

Legal professor Harun Alrasid, General Elections Commission
(KPU) deputy chairman, suspected Golkar planned to use the aid to
win farmers' votes in the upcoming polls.

"If the Japanese ruling party wants to help Indonesian
farmers, it should channel it through the government," he said at
the seminar.

He said he would bring the case to the commission's plenary
session on Monday.

Arbi Sanit, a political observer, called on the PPI to lodge a
protest with the LDP and Golkar over the incident.

"A strong protest should be lodged with the LDP for its
impartiality, an activity that could mar the elections."

Arbi said the Supreme Court and the Indonesian Elections
Committee -- scheduled for establishment on Monday, should
immediately investigate the case as their independence was at
stake.

Arbi, who refused to sit on the government-sanctioned
committee, said both the Commission and the committee should take
action against Golkar.

"If not, people will run amok," he said. (rms/44)