Gubernatorial aspirants want old-style elections: Sarwono

Gubernatorial aspirants want old-style elections: Sarwono

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

While many regions have successfully organized direct elections,
public figures in Jakarta are lobbying members of the House of
Representatives (DPR) to maintain the indirect election system
for the capital.

DPR members are now deliberating the draft revision of Law No.
34/1999 on Jakarta as a special capital region. The revision will
allow the people to vote for their preferred gubernatorial
candidate in direct elections.

Jakarta will hold an election to choose its governor in 2007.

Regional Representatives Council (DPD) member Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja said here on Thursday that many public figures
aspiring to become Jakarta governor in 2007 were lobbying DPR
members in order to keep the current indirect election system in
the capital.

He said such efforts were carried out by politicians who were
not accustomed to working hard to achieve their political goals.

"Or those who still want to be in power although they realize
that they will not get significant support from the people if
they take part in a direct election," Sarwono said on the
sidelines of a discussion about the environment in the capital.

He warned that their efforts might be successful because they
have a huge sum of money to support their campaign.

"These politicians would prefer to deal with a small number of
city councillors rather than Jakarta residents," said Sarwono.

Several names have been mentioned as potential gubernatorial
candidates in 2007, including deputy governor Fauzi Bowo,
councillor member Igo Ilham of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS)
and economist Faisal Basri, who is said to be nominated by PAN.

Sarwono said that several retired generals have also expressed
interest in running in the gubernatorial election in 2007.

Currently, revisions to Law No. 34/1999 on Jakarta as a
special region are being discussed in the House.

A politician from the National Mandate Party (PAN), who was
speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that there was
intensive lobbying by certain figures to maintain the current
system.

According to the source, those opposing a direct election
argue that the exercise would adversely affect security in the
capital, including possible clashes between supporters of rival
candidates.

Sarwono said whatever the arguments were, efforts to keep the
current election system -- where the governor is elected by the
City Council -- were unacceptable because it was not in line with
the democratization already implemented in other regions.

He called on pro-democracy movements here to thwart any
attempt to turn back the tide.

He even urged the public hear to push for direct elections of
all mayors in the capital.

"With direct elections, politicians are forced to listen to
people's aspirations, otherwise they will not be elected.
Therefore, we must push for direct elections for mayors," he
said.

Unlike other provinces, all five mayors and one regent in the
capital are appointed by the governor.