Direct polls expected to prevent bribery

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.