Govt urged to issue ruling to curb money politics

JAKARTA (JP): Political observers and the Indonesia Forum for Environment (Walhi), called on Tuesday for a government regulation to curb money politics and enforce a code of conduct among parties to prevent violence ahead of this year's polls.

Speaking in a discussion held by Walhi's Political Education Committee were Arbi Sanit and Mulyana W. Kusumah of the University of Indonesia, Suwoto Mulyosudarmo of Airlangga University and J. Kristiadi of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

They urged political parties to form codes of ethics to avoid conflict and possible chaos. A code of conduct will be issued by the National Election Committee which starts work on March 1.

The observers cited indications of "radicalization among the masses". Limited education, low political awareness, the prolonged crisis and an absence of ethics and morality had contributed to this radicalization, they said.

"In such conditions, parties seeking support easily attract fanatical supporters who fail to understand what they are supporting," Suwoto said. Kristiadi cited examples of recent clashes between followers of new parties.

"I've also heard reports of threats such as: "if you don't choose (a certain party), I'll cut your head off. This is an indication of radicalization at the grassroots level," he noted.

Noting the possibility of vote-buying, Arbi commented that "the new political law has directed only maximum limits for fund procurement by political parties, not a spending limit".

Emphasizing fears of a votes-for-money campaign, the speakers urged that spending by government officials be kept in check by a regulation. Walhi chairwoman Emmy Hafild said the ruling Golkar group should be supervised tightly "because it is the main source of money politics."

The new political law limits party donations to annual support of Rp 15 million from individuals and Rp 150 million from corporate bodies.

Mulyana, who is secretary-general of the Independent Election Monitoring Committee, cited concerns that social safety net funds -- of which the managers recently stand accused of impropriety -- could be used for vote-buying, particularly by Golkar.

Money politics, Mulyana said, was also reflected in "political investment" to buy influence from individuals or the masses.

He referred to a statement from the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Amien Rais, who alleged that he had been offered a large sum of money to tone down his political outspokenness by the "Cendana Family" -- a reference to the street name of the Central Jakarta residence of former president Soeharto. "This a powerful warning to us all, including every party intending to contest the elections. That is why the rules of the game must be set soon," Mulyana said.

Activists, including party representatives and observers, have expressed concern that vote-buying is a strong probability because of the crisis.

Kristiadi said monitoring of activities vulnerable to political leverage, such as the distribution of food staples and the sale of subsidized foods, should be strengthened.

"Public control is the key... because we don't have money," he noted.

The circulation of money, Kristiadi added, is centered around the business community, remnants of the past New Order and the current government.

"The current ruling party will strive high and low to maintain its status quo; money politics is unavoidable. It's horrible."

Arbi said money politics was difficult to eradicate as it had become a "culture" with roots from colonial times.

"Since early times, it has been the norm for rulers to buy off people, trading money for people's freedom, votes and political rights," he said. (edt)