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)