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.