Golkar says no to PPP's electoral reform plan
Golkar says no to PPP's electoral reform plan
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar yesterday gave a definite "no" to the United Development Party (PPP)'s proposal to change the electoral law, but politely took the draft bill when it was presented, saying the document would make a nice academic paper.
Moestahid Astari, chairman of the Golkar faction which has a strong majority in the House of Representatives, met with his PPP counterpart Hamzah Haz during which the latter presented the party's "Initiative Bill" as the proposed legislation is called.
Moestahid told Hamzah pointedly that Golkar was not interested in discussing any move to reform the electoral law.
The current law is still relevant, he said at the meeting which was opened to journalists.
"We will study the bill as an academic paper," Moestahid said to the dismay of Hamzah and his colleagues present at the meeting. Golkar leaders have repeatedly aired their objection to any move to change the electoral law, he added.
The PPP launched its move to change the electoral law with its eyes fixed on the 1997 general election.
The party, which came a distant second to Golkar in the last five elections, argues that past polls have not been fair and honest. The bill seeks to make up for these shortcomings.
While Golkar rejected the bill outright, legislators of the Armed Forces (ABRI) faction early this month promised to "carefully study" the bill when it was presented to them early this month.
On other occasions the Armed Forces rejected any move to change the electoral laws, at least before the 1997 poll.
The Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), the other minority party, is about the only hope the PPP has to have its "Initiative Bill" included in the House's agenda.
By regulation, any bill must have the support of at least 20 legislators from two factions in the House to have it deliberated.
PDI, which shares many of the PPP's concerns about the way elections have been held, has stated support for PPP's bill but the party is likely to ask for concessions in return.
Some political analysts said PPP's move was more of an election ploy to score points ahead of the 1997 election, rather than a serious effort to have the laws changed. They said the bill stands very little chance of getting House approval, even if it manages to reach the House's agenda.
Hamzah told Golkar faction leaders during the meeting that since this is the first piece of legislation initiated by the House, it would go a long way to improve the image of the House.
Every single legislation enacted since 1967 has come at the initiative of the government, prompting accusations that the House has been a mere endorsement agency.
Hamzah said he hoped Golkar would change its mind and accept the bill after studying it.
The bill seeks to revise the law to allow all contestants to actively take part in the whole electoral process, from the planning stage to supervision, vote counting and evaluation.
The proposed legislation seeks to end the President's monopoly in organizing elections, and gives contestants a greater say in the way elections are administered.
The PPP wants elections to be held on a holiday, or have election day declared a public holiday, so that people can vote at polling booths closer to home. In the past, most people voted near or in their offices, and PPP and PDI alleged that civil servants were intimidated into voting for Golkar.
Moestahid said that while the electoral law should not be changed, the way elections are held could be improved and this is up to the contestants themselves.
"All the contesting political organizations should improve their ability in the planning, organization and supervision of general elections," he said. (pan)