Govt plans amendments to 1999 law on election, KPU

JAKARTA (JP): On Monday, the government announced a planned revision to the 1999 election law which would include dissolving the present General Elections Commission (KPU).

Speaking after a closed door meeting with the House of Representatives leaders, Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Soedirja simply said amendments to the law had been stipulated by the State Policy Guidelines and were "in line with people's aspirations".

"Yes," he replied when asked whether the government proposed to change the KPU and the number of House seats due to the creation of three new provinces and 31 new regencies, and the need to run the elections in a freer and fairer manner.

The amendment would also include requirements for a political party to contest the polls beginning in 2009.

"I cannot elaborate on all consequences of the amendment in detail because discussions of the matter are still underway. We will meet again in the near future to discuss them. All changes will be made in accordance with aspirations from the grassroots, which obviously grow strong," he said.

He said the planned amendment would be discussed also in a consultation meeting between President Abdurrahman Wahid and the House leadership on Jan. 27.

Pressures have mounted on the government to replace the KPU's 53 members, who represent 48 political parties contesting the 1999 elections and the government, with independent and professional persons. Such measures are proposed to avoid any conflict of interest among the commission members.

KPU members were much criticized for violating their own rules and election laws prior to the June 7 polls last year. Complaints about KPU's performance took their toll when the commission rejected the results of the polls, citing alleged violations.

A legislator attending Monday's meeting said the House leaders believed the KPU should stop its daily activities until the amendment to the election law was complete.

"A possible dissolution of the election commission was discussed but no agreement was reached. This matter will be deliberated in the next consultation meeting," said the legislator, who requested anonymity.

To organize the local elections in June, KPU has established a committee whose members represent political parties that failed to win House seats in the last elections.

Surjadi also said the government would consider canceling local elections in the Aceh regency of Pidie, North Maluku province, until the situation there returns to normal.

"The local elections will be flexible depending on the province's readiness," he said.

He said the House's current composition would certainly change following the local elections, because under present law each regency has at least one representative in the House.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo, chief of the Indonesian Military's Territorial Affairs, said the military would help the local elections to run in an orderly manner.

He said, if needed, TNI would deploy more troops to safeguard elections in the troubled provinces of Maluku and Irian.

He warned that KPU should also be prepared for possible intimidation by separatist rebel groups, such as in Irian Jaya, against people who wish to participate in the elections.

Agus urged KPU to introduce the elections to local residents before conducting the elections. "KPU also needs to discuss the elections with local leaders." (jun/rms)