Election campaign funds

Election campaign funds

I fully concur with statements made by Sofyan Wanandi and
Marie Pangestu that the funds for the election campaign collected
from the community by the political parties and the functional
group Golkar should be reported publicly with regard to amount,
origin and use.

It is important to safeguard honesty and discipline in the
community and to prevent corruption and collusion. The community
needs to know if the method of collection is acceptable or if
there is a connection with businessmen who will get facilities
from the parties and Golkar. We often hear that for government
projects funded by the state budget, contractors and suppliers
have to pay a certain percentage.

It would be a good thing if the government and the House of
Representatives pass a law or a regulation on the collection of
funds for election campaigns by the election participants, as is
the case in advanced countries like the United States. The funds
for election campaigns must have a reasonable limit.

For example, businessmen should not have to worry that if they
do not contribute funds, they will not obtain facilities. An
important thing not to be overlooked is that the contribution of
funds may be the cause of a high-cost economy. If so, the small
people also become victims.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta