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