Govt urged to issue ruling to curb money politics
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)