Electoral law revision opposed

Electoral law revision opposed

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. rejected yesterday demands by the minority parties that the electoral law be revised.

Yogie said the 1997 election will proceed without any change in the electoral law passed in 1985 because the legislation is still relevant to the current stage of political development.

"With the existing laws, the government will be able to organize next year's general election better than it has in the past," Yogie said at the opening of a three-day workshop of governors.

The United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) have been pressing ahead with their demands for amendment of the law, to allow more democratic elections.

The PPP, which has its powerbase in the Moslem community, has submitted an "initiative" bill on the amendment to the House of Representatives. The move has gained the support of the PDI but was flatly rejected by the dominant ruling party, Golkar.

The minority parties are seeking to end the President's "monopoly" of the organization of the general election. They also demand that they, like Golkar, be involved in the whole electoral process -- from the planning to the count.

Yogie advised that critics should look at the existing electoral law more closely before they press their demand for change.

"I don't want to hear anyone oppose the law without having sound knowledge of it," Yogie said.

The minister also asked the assembled governors of the 27 provinces to tighten control over the distribution of alcoholic drinks which are widely blamed for rising crime, Antara reported.

He acknowledged that the problems arise because Indonesia has no laws pertaining to sale of liquor. Every province has their own regulations on this, he explained.

"Provinces which do not have regulations should make some soon," he advised. (pan)