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)