Freedom to vote

On March 8 Kompas published an article titled Civil servants bear no political responsibility. The article was in connection with the President's speech at the official opening of a seminar organized by the Indonesian Administration Scholars Association (PERSADI). In the article, the President clarified that civil servants bear no political responsibility, but only have administrative responsibilities toward their respective superiors.

In my opinion, this statement should remove all doubt on whether civil servants, although members of the Civil Servants Corps (KORPRI), should have the freedom to choose what party or organization they give their vote at the coming general election.

In the past there have been many confusing and contradictory statements. One statement said that civil servants should vote for one particular contestant, while the other suggested that civil servants had complete freedom to choose whatever political party they liked.

The President has clarified that civil servants have the freedom to vote for the political party they like the most.

The Jakarta Post recently reported that the United Development Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party were on the verge of bankruptcy and that only the ruling dominant Golkar party had enough funds for the election campaigns. This gives even greater chance for Golkar to obtain the majority of votes.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta