Govt plans amendments to 1999 law on election, KPU

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)