Expert calls for debate on gubernatorial candidates

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

An executive director of the Urban and Regional Development Institute (URDI), Wicaksono Saroso, called on the Jakarta City Council on Saturday to sponsor proper debate between pairings of gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates through television or other media.

"Many non-governmental organizations are ready to facilitate such debates," he said.

Wicaksono was criticizing the procedures for the gubernatorial election, which actually prevented the possibility of public participation.

"The election procedures try to give the impression that there's still room for public participation. In practice, however, there's no room for the public to take part in the process," he said.

He emphasized the need for public pressure to enable councillors to elect the governor not just based on their party's political views but, more importantly, based on the views of the public.

He also emphasized the role of the print and electronic media in making the public's voice heard.

"I believe there is still the possibility of us getting a better type of Jakarta governor in the future if the public pressure were strong enough, which would mean that the people's voice would have to be considered by the councillors," he said.

Marco Kusumawijaya, a noted urban affairs observer, said the selection of gubernatorial candidates was the most crucial step in the election process.

"By limiting public participation during the selection process, the councillors are showing that they don't want to follow the dynamic changes taking place in society. They still want to maintain the arrogance, elitism and feudalism practiced in the past," said Marco, who is also a gubernatorial candidate.

The election procedures set by the council say that the public can take part in the selection of the candidates by channeling their aspirations through the factions on the council. But the candidate pairings are actually decided by closed-door faction meetings.

The election rules also stipulate that the public may lodge complaints about money politics only after the gubernatorial election is over.

Such complaints must be conveyed through registered non- governmental organizations in the city to the City Council's election committee within three days after the holding of the election.

Marco said that if the council interpreted the election procedures strictly, it would be virtually impossible for the public to take part during any stage of the gubernatorial election process.

"Because of this situation, there are strong demands from many NGOs for direct gubernatorial elections. Therefore, even if the mechanism is not used for the next gubernatorial election, the council should nevertheless now listen to the people's aspirations," he said.

There are 72 gubernatorial and 47 deputy gubernatorial candidates registered with the City Council's election committee. The eleven factions on the council have the right to change the 'status' of candidates from gubernatorial to vice gubernatorial and vice versa at their discretion.

The city's gubernatorial election will be held on Sept. 17.

Main procedures for Jakarta gubernatorial election

1. Candidate registration (June 10 - June 21)

By election committee

2. Two phases of candidate screening

By City Council factions

* First phase (14 days): All factions examine documents from registered candidates, and take into consideration input from the public on the candidates.

* Second phase (14 days): Each faction selects running mates

through question and answer sessions. Two pairs are selected by each faction. 3. Candidate nomination (7 days)

* Each pair of running mates elaborates its vision and mission before a City Council plenary session for 60 minutes, followed

by a question and answer session for 60 minutes.

* A pairing can be nominated by two factions or more.

* Each faction can only nominate one pair of running mates.

* At least two pairs of running mates, and 11 pairs at the most, are nominated.

* Each pairing is jointly approved by faction and council

leaders.

* Each pairing should give its consent to nomination

* Pairings cannot withdraw their candidacies

4. Consultation of pairs

* Council and faction leaders report the pairings to

president through home affairs minister.

(Role of president not clear)

5. Election day

6. Public assessment (3 days)

7. Determination of elected governor and vice governor

8. Officiation

9. Inauguration.