Experts disagree on funding of political parties

JAKARTA (JP): Two legal experts revealed over the weekend different views on the issue of whether Golkar's acceptance of political donations constitutes a form of collusion and leads to corruption.

Loebby Loqman, a University of Indonesia law professor, sees nothing wrong with donations from the private sector being used to support political parties, including the ruling Golkar group.

"I think that if the money is donated voluntarily, then there's nothing wrong," he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

He said that the Indonesian Democratic Party and the United Development Party could also receive donations.

Loebby said that as long as the donors do not ask for government favors or perks donations are acceptable.

He said that in this matter Golkar has to be considered a political entity separate from the government. Financial donations, he said, should be seen as contributions to Golkar, not the government.

The issue of businesses donating money to Golkar was recently brought up by another legal expert who also teaches at the university's law school. Constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra said during a discussion in Yogyakarta last week that political contributions are forms of collusion and corruption.

He argued that entrepreneurs and conglomerates would not be willing to dish out money for free.

As the faction that dominates the government bureaucracy, Golkar would have to make compromises for their donors in the form of certain economic concessions, he said.

"It's public knowledge that many businessmen have to put aside some money for Golkar every time they receive a government project," said Yusril. "In a legal sense, political funds from businessmen can be categorized as an act of collusion or corruption."

Yusril charged that Golkar chairman Harmoko, who is also minister of information, has never explained how his party cadre meetings, which he holds around the country, are funded.

Last September, Harmoko publicly denied allegations that he has been using state funds to finance his trips to various parts of the country in his capacity as Golkar chairman.

"When I travel to the provinces not in my capacity as minister of information I do not use the Ministry of Information's funds," he said in a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives. (02/mds)