Govt maintains aid for parties

JAKARTA: The government is set to go ahead and disburse the much-criticized financial package to political parties, an official says.

State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra said on Tuesday each party would receive Rp 21 million (US$2,164) for each House of Representatives seat it won in the 2004 election. The amount of assistance given to the party offices in the regions is to be determined by governors with a ceiling of Rp 21 million.

Yusril rejected allegations the aid would allow the government to intervene into the internal affairs of parties, saying it was simply fulfilling its obligations as stipulated in Law No. 31/2002 on political parties. -- JP