Direct polls expected to prevent bribery

Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Amid allegations of the city administration bribing councillors, observers proposed on Monday the implementation of direct gubernatorial elections for the city's next governor to prevent "money politics".

"It would be more difficult for gubernatorial candidates to buy the votes of the millions of Jakarta residents to become the city governor," executive director of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) Smita Notosusanto said in a discussion.

Under the current election system, it would be easier for candidates to buy the votes of half of the 85 councillors, she added.

A Cetro' survey showed that more than 80 percent of the current elections in the country created troubles and disputes, such as allegations of money politics.

Money politics could also be involved before the governor presents the budget or accountability speech.

Governor Sutiyoso was criticized recently for allocating Rp 17.8 billion (US$1.78 million) for the city councillors who would discuss, among other things, his budget speech on the 2001 city budget.

Sutiyoso, who will read the speech on Thursday, denied the accusation.

In the discussion, political expert Andi A. Mallarangeng shared Smita's view, saying that with direct elections, the governor would also focus more on his or her programs promised before the election.

"Nowadays, most of the governors, mayors and regents in the country think every day about what they should give to councillors to ensure the latter do not dismiss them," he said.

However, councillor Dadang Hamdani of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle rejected direct gubernatorial elections, arguing that it would create small states within the state.

"Direct election violates the spirit of the unitary state of Indonesia," Dadang, a member of City Council Commission A for administrative and legal affairs, told the discussion.

Sutiyoso's tenure will end in October, but he has expressed his willingness to be reelected for a second five-year term.

The next election, if conducted indirectly, would be determined by the 85 city councillors. The largest party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, has 30 seats and would play an important role.

Smita said Cetro had submitted a proposal to revise Law No. 22/1999 on regional autonomy, especially Article 49 on election of governors, mayors and regents.

"We hope it can be discussed next month," she said.

Andi suggested that the next gubernatorial election be postponed until the law is revised by the House, saying that President Megawati Soekarnoputri could appoint an acting governor.

"The acting governor could prepare the direct gubernatorial elections for at least a year," he said.

Cetro suggested that a Jakarta governor should get 51 percent of residents' votes and should secure at least 20 percent of votes from three mayoralties.

A governor who secures significant votes in three mayoralties would be considered more legitimate and would be supported by the majority of city residents.