Debate over KIPP rages on
Debate over KIPP rages on
JAKARTA (JP): While the government has come out firmly against
the need for independent poll watchdogs, the debate over the
Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) continues to
rage on, with academics yesterday arguing its pros and cons.
The Secretary General of the Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals
Association (ICMI), Adi Sasono, said yesterday that there is no
real reason to fear the poll watchdog.
"The government and security officials should not be wary of
KIPP's presence," he said, describing it as a natural byproduct
of the people's increased dynamism and political awareness.
"I know it's chairman, Goenawan Mohamad, very well. He is a
sincere person," Adi said, alluding to the former chief editor of
the now-defunct Tempo magazine.
Nevertheless, he said that one should not be so naive as to
perceive the poll watchdog as being merely a moral movement. "It
is also a political movement," he claimed.
While not specifically referring to the Independent Election
Monitoring Committee, the government on Thursday said that
independent poll watchdogs are not needed. Government officials
refused to say whether this was meant as a call for such groups
to disband.
Formed early last month, the committee is comprised of several
leading rights activists and government critics. Its
establishment has spawned other independent watchdogs, a new
phenomenon in Indonesia's electoral history.
Reacting to the government's statement, the committee's
secretary general, Mulyana W. Kusumah, said that the formation of
the poll watchdog should be perceived as a channel for political
openness, which could accommodate the people's aspirations.
In Semarang, Central Java, political scientist Kahar Badjuri
said there was really no reason for the government to be overly
concerned about the committee.
He contended that the presence of the poll watchdog could
actually help boost international confidence regarding the
validity and fairness of the general elections.
The University of Diponegoro academic told The Jakarta Post
yesterday that there is no reason to harbor suspicions towards
any activity which boosts public participation in the coming
elections.
"Yes, there is already the Panwaslak, but anyone can falter in
their duty, so KIPP should just be allowed to continue. Besides,
they aren't breaking any laws by their presence," he said.
Panwaslak is the government-sanctioned Election Supervision
Committee, which is made up of officials, legislators and other
public representatives.
In Yogyakarta, Afan Gafar, political observer of the Gadjah
Mada state university, lauded the government's statement and
brushed off the committee as being nothing more than a movement
comprised of government agitators who have an axe to grind.
"Goenawan, Buyung and Mulyana are all people who have problems
with the government. KIPP is nothing more than an opposition
group against the government," he said, referring to the poll
watchdog's founders.
Though less harsh, National Human Rights Commission member
Muladi supported Afan's statement that the existence of the poll
body was probably not necessary.
He told the Post that although the watchdog is not banned, the
law only recognizes the official poll committee, and thus the
monitoring committee's activities fall outside the recognized
system of monitoring.
Meanwhile, in Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi, Professor Sadly
from Hasanuddin University also held a similar view.
Sadly said that, apart from the legal soundness of the
official supervision committee, the independent monitoring
committee would have difficulty in carrying out its activities
due to a shortage of manpower.
He further questioned whether the presence of the poll
watchdog would automatically translate into an improvement in the
transparency of the elections.
He said groups like the monitoring committee were commonly
found abroad. However, this did not necessarily mean that such a
model could be applied here. (imn/har/20/mds)