Elections hold hope and reform
Elections hold hope and reform
JAKARTA (JP): With the many encouraging changes that have
occurred since the demise of the New Order regime, one foreign
observer expects this year's general election to generate reform
in Indonesian politics.
Eric Bjornlund, a senior associate and director of the Asian
office of the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for
International Affairs (NDI), said here on Thursday that the legal
framework for the country's political institutions has seen
substantial reform.
"New, independent election authorities have been established.
And for the first time, Indonesian elections will take place
under the watch of independent, nonpartisan domestic and
international election observers," he told The Jakarta Post.
The international community's interest in these transitional
elections is shown by the presence of observers from the European
Union, the United States, Australia, Japan, and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) among other countries.
Apart from NDI, international organizations sending
delegations include the Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections
(Anfrel), the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections
(Namfrel) from the Philippines, the Carter Center and the
Solidarity Center, both from the U.S., and the Australia Council
for Overseas Aid.
Bjornlund said the fact that most government controls on the
organization of political parties and press restrictions were
lifted last year indicated the elections would be more democratic
and fair.
However, he urged the General Elections Commission (KPU) and
the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslak) to perform well,
fairly and accurately.
"After years of autocratic rule and 'crony capitalism', it is
these institutions and practices that reflect the hopes and
aspirations of the Indonesian people," he said.
"It's clear that the June 1999 elections in Indonesia will not
be perfect. The people of Indonesia will judge whether, despite
the imperfections, they have been able to express their choices
freely and whether these choices are then reflected in the
composition of their representatives and the development of their
political institutions."
Flaws
Bjornlund noted the existing flaws in the electoral laws,
which he said could trigger people's dissatisfaction.
"The new laws governing the elections, political parties and
the structure of the legislatures passed by the House of
Representatives (DPR) in January, often establish only basic
principles and leave the details to be determined by the election
commission or other bodies," he said.
However, he said, since the election commission was formed in
early March it has moved slowly to fill these gaps.
"There is apprehension that the new system continues to
unfairly benefit the current regime," he said.
He said some serious gaps were found in the election
regulations and associated documents. He mentioned flaws in the
electoral system, the election of functional representatives to
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and the complaints and
appeals institutions.
"The retention of seats reserved for the military and the
restricted constituencies that will select the MPR's 65
functional group representatives are the most conspicuous
shortcomings in the political institutions," he said, adding that
the composition of the MPR would, therefore, not necessarily
reflect the election results.
Concerning the ongoing election campaign, he said there has
been little debate on solutions to the economic and social crisis
the country is facing.
"Much of the campaign appears to revolve around open public
rallies and parades of decorated trucks, cars and motorcycles,"
he said. "This style of campaigning, intended to demonstrate mass
support, brings with it many complaints of intimidation,
harassment and infringement of the law."
Eric, however, said it would be impossible for NDI to monitor
all of the election activities because it would place only 100
observers across Indonesia, although not in East Timor.
He said NDI would cooperate with a number of Indonesian non-
governmental organizations, university-based networks and other
civil society groups in monitoring the election process,
including the balloting and the vote-counting. (imn)
JAKARTA (JP): With the many encouraging changes that have
occurred since the demise of the New Order regime, one foreign
observer expects this year's general election to generate reform
in Indonesian politics.
Eric Bjornlund, a senior associate and director of the Asian
office of the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for
International Affairs (NDI), said here on Thursday that the legal
framework for the country's political institutions has seen
substantial reform.
"New, independent election authorities have been established.
And for the first time, Indonesian elections will take place
under the watch of independent, nonpartisan domestic and
international election observers," he told The Jakarta Post.
The international community's interest in these transitional
elections is shown by the presence of observers from the European
Union, the United States, Australia, Japan, and the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) among other countries.
Apart from NDI, international organizations sending
delegations include the Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections
(Anfrel), the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections
(Namfrel) from the Philippines, the Carter Center and the
Solidarity Center, both from the U.S., and the Australia Council
for Overseas Aid.
Bjornlund said the fact that most government controls on the
organization of political parties and press restrictions were
lifted last year indicated the elections would be more democratic
and fair.
However, he urged the General Elections Commission (KPU) and
the Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslak) to perform well,
fairly and accurately.
"After years of autocratic rule and 'crony capitalism', it is
these institutions and practices that reflect the hopes and
aspirations of the Indonesian people," he said.
"It's clear that the June 1999 elections in Indonesia will not
be perfect. The people of Indonesia will judge whether, despite
the imperfections, they have been able to express their choices
freely and whether these choices are then reflected in the
composition of their representatives and the development of their
political institutions."
Flaws
Bjornlund noted the existing flaws in the electoral laws,
which he said could trigger people's dissatisfaction.
"The new laws governing the elections, political parties and
the structure of the legislatures passed by the House of
Representatives (DPR) in January, often establish only basic
principles and leave the details to be determined by the election
commission or other bodies," he said.
However, he said, since the election commission was formed in
early March it has moved slowly to fill these gaps.
"There is apprehension that the new system continues to
unfairly benefit the current regime," he said.
He said some serious gaps were found in the election
regulations and associated documents. He mentioned flaws in the
electoral system, the election of functional representatives to
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and the complaints and
appeals institutions.
"The retention of seats reserved for the military and the
restricted constituencies that will select the MPR's 65
functional group representatives are the most conspicuous
shortcomings in the political institutions," he said, adding that
the composition of the MPR would, therefore, not necessarily
reflect the election results.
Concerning the ongoing election campaign, he said there has
been little debate on solutions to the economic and social crisis
the country is facing.
"Much of the campaign appears to revolve around open public
rallies and parades of decorated trucks, cars and motorcycles,"
he said. "This style of campaigning, intended to demonstrate mass
support, brings with it many complaints of intimidation,
harassment and infringement of the law."
Eric, however, said it would be impossible for NDI to monitor
all of the election activities because it would place only 100
observers across Indonesia, although not in East Timor.
He said NDI would cooperate with a number of Indonesian non-
governmental organizations, university-based networks and other
civil society groups in monitoring the election process,
including the balloting and the vote-counting. (imn)