Hamzah may quit Cabinet to campaign for PPP

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz said on Wednesday he was prepared to resign if the General Elections Commission's (KPU) controversial ruling to bar Cabinet ministers from campaigning prevails.

Hamzah said as chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) his involvement is necessary during the campaign period scheduled from May 19 through June 4.

"I will quit my ministerial post so that I can campaign for my party," he said after opening the party's congress.

The government and the commission are still at odds on the ruling, with the former preparing a regulation that is likely to compromise the dispute.

Hamzah expressed concerns about the debate, but said the PPP was in favor of the commission's ruling. He called on both the commission and the government to hold a dialog to find a middle path without having to sacrifice a free and fair general election.

The commission remained firm about its decision in its plenary session on Wednesday.

Golkar Party representative on the commission, Mahadi Sinambela, said most attendants in the plenary session supported the ruling and another one that allows KPU members to campaign for their parties and run for legislative seats.

"The majority of the KPU is steadfast on the two rulings and it seems impossible for us to change them," he told The Jakarta Post after the session.

He also said most KPU members lashed out at the Supreme Court for providing the government with a legal opinion that interfered in the commission's internal affairs.

The Supreme Court ruled last Friday that President B.J. Habibie as head of state would have the final say in the matter.

According to the opinion, the commission has no legal right to regulate the role of ministers and other state officials as the President's aides.

It also said commission members should refrain themselves from campaigning and pursuing seats in the House of Representatives.

"To most members, the Supreme Court's legal advice is overstated; it has no authority to intervene in KPU's internal affairs," Mahadi said.

KPU chairman Rudini reiterated his defense of the ruling on ministers. He said the President should disband the commission if it was unauthorized to regulate parties contending the June 7 elections.

"It is too late for us to consider the Supreme Court's legal opinion because a decision was made and it was done democratically," he said in a break during the plenary session.

In its ruling, the commission bars parties from involving Cabinet ministers and other state officials from all administrative levels.

Misuse

Separately, deputy chairman of the Supreme Court on traditional law affairs, Syafiuddin, insisted the central issue was not ministers ineligibility to campaign, but fears of misuse of state facilities.

Chairman of the Crescent and Star Party (PBB), Yusril Ihza Mahendra, called on the government and the election commission to take a middle path to end the rift.

He said he resigned from his position as special assistant of the Minister/State Secretary to avoid a possible conflict of interest.

"I cannot suggest the same thing to Akbar Tandjung (Golkar chairman) or Hamzah Haz. But I think every leader has to make an honorable choice and know which (activity) takes priority," he said in a seminar held at the University of Indonesia.

He said it was not a problem for his party if ministers and other government officials were allowed to campaign.

"But for moral and ethical reasons, ministers should not campaign because of bad experiences in the past," he said, referring to frequent misuse of state facilities by Cabinet ministers who campaigned for Golkar.

Meanwhile, the KPU has proposed the government provide Rp 1 billion (US$113,600) for each poll contestant.

A government representative on the commission, Andi M. Mallarangeng, said the proposal was submitted to the President on Wednesday. A response is expected to be announced shortly.

Asked his opinion on the election fund amount provided for contestants, Yusril said the funds were not adequate.

"I think the amount requested is normal because actually it is not even enough for the purchase of party (promotional material)." (edt/rms)