Habibie dismisses concern over poll clashes
Habibie dismisses concern over poll clashes
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie dismissed on Thursday
fears the number of parties set to contest the polls and the
limited time available for preparations would trigger conflict
and political instability.
"We must let go of the past paradigm and perception that the
presence of many political parties poses a barrier or a threat,"
he said after inaugurating members of the General Election
Committee (KPU) at Merdeka Palace.
The body will be in charge of organizing the polls to be
contested by 48 parties. Five of six elections under former
president Soeharto's New Order regime were contested by three
sanctioned political groupings only.
"In contrast, we must view the multitude of parties as
implementing true democracy, a process we agreed upon."
The President reiterated his commitment to free, fair and
secure elections, but emphasized the government would be unable
to satisfy the aspirations and interests of the entire
population.
Habibie swore in 51 members of the 53-strong committee.
Chairman of Indonesian Uni-democracy Party (PUDI) Sri Bintang
Pamungkas and Hendri Kuok of the Democratic People's Party (PRD)
were absent.
PRD chairman Budiman Sudjatmiko and Secretary-General Petrus
Hari Haryanto remain at Cipinang prison in East Jakarta. They
were convicted for subversion during Soeharto's administration.
Habibie has promised to release the men. Pamungkas was among
the first prisoners released by Habibie after he replaced
Soeharto last May.
Rules
"I appeal to all parties to exercise self restraint, obey the
agreed rules of the game and be ready to accept the outcome of
the elections," Habibie said.
The committee comprises representatives of the 48 poll
contestants, while the government is represented by five people.
They are lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution, former supreme court
justice Adi Andojo Soetjipto, former Golkar executive Oka
Mahendra, and political observers A.A. Mallarangeng and Afan
Gaffar.
Votes of the five government representatives are the
equivalent of the 48 party member's votes.
"The professionalism of the committee members will be
reflected by their technical capability to organize fair, just
and open elections," Habibie said.
Former minister of home affairs Gen. (ret) Rudini was elected
chairman of the committee. He represents the Deliberation, Work
and Cooperation Party (MKGR).
Vice chairmen are Adnan and law professor Harun Al Rasyid of
the Islamic People Party (Partai Umat Islam).
In his capacity as minister of home affairs, Rudini chaired
the 1992 general election. Since ending his term in 1997, the
former Army chief of staff has become an outspoken political
commentator.
Rudini promised to act in a fair manner.
"If MKGR party members make mistakes, strict measures will be
taken."
Ministry of Home Affairs Director General of Administration
and Provincial Autonomy Ryaas Rasyid, said with the inauguration,
the government no longer had authority to manage the elections.
The committee's most urgent duty is to establish local
committees for the 27 provinces, 245 regencies and 59 mayoralties
level, Ryaas said.
"They must work quickly," he told Antara.
Ryaas said elections would be held in East Timor despite the
possibility of the province separating from Indonesia in the near
future.
"We must not abandon them. Not all of the people there would
refuse to vote in the elections."
Separately, leading environmental activist Otto Soemarwoto
called on poll contestants to refrain from posting pamphlets to
trees because it caused environmental damage.
"Trees are like human bodies, they are easily attacked by
bacteria if their bodies are hurt," the professor of
environmental studies said in Bandung, West Java. (prb)