Government won't meddle in political parties' affairs

JAKARTA (JP): New Minister of Home Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid has promised that the government will not meddle in the affairs of political parties or mass organizations.

"Intervention (by the government) is a thing of the past," Syarwan said in his first meeting as minister with chief editors and editors of Jakarta-based mass media.

He admitted that the status of a home affairs minister as "patron of Indonesian politics" applied under former president Soeharto's regime and was the reason the government had often been perceived as a meddler in the affairs of political parties and mass organizations.

"That can be changed. What's important is the approach (of a home affairs minister towards organizations). The status should not be a cause for fear," he said.

Under Soeharto's administration, political parties were kept under tight rein presumably so they could not grow in strength and become a threat to the government-backed Golkar, while non- governmental organizations were regulated so they did not become "problematic".

Together with former home affairs minister Moch. Yogie S.M., Syarwan endorsed the ouster of Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri in 1996. Critics said the endorsement was a form of meddling.

Syarwan, who resigned on Monday from his post as House deputy speaker following his appointment as home affairs minister last Friday, agreed that the government needed to take immediate concrete steps to act on the public's calls for reform in all sectors.

"It is also the task of the home affairs ministry, but we also request public support to carry out these duties," he said.

He promised to assemble all governors and regents here next week in order to brief them about the ministry's reform programs.

The ministry has started working on amendments of the five political laws which critics claim have crippled Indonesians' political participation.

Asked whether it would be possible for Megawati to establish a new political party, Syarwan said: "Why not? Everybody can establish a party, but let's study the regulations first."

"We are still studying the regulations. For instance, will amendment lead to the establishment of 100 parties? What would happen then?"

"We are still working on the regulations. Just wait and see," he said. (swe/vin)