Hendardi drops candidacy for elections commission

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association chairman Hendardi has withdrawn his candidacy for the General Elections Commission (KPU), a legislator said on Thursday.

"We received a letter from Hendardi (Thursday afternoon) and it is his right (to withdraw his candidacy)," Ferry Mursyidan Baldan, deputy chairman of House of Representatives Commission II for legal and home affairs, said.

However, he questioned the reason for Hendardi's decision, because the rights activist earlier stated his willingness to join the commission.

"In the letter, he stated that he decided to withdraw his candidacy due to the lack of transparency in the selection process, while earlier he had agreed to join the commission.

"I do not see a clear reason for him to make such a decision," Ferry said.

Hendardi was among 21 candidates undergoing fit-and-proper tests for selection to the commission. He was scheduled to appear for a hearing with the House commission on Thursday.

Hendardi is the second candidate to withdraw his candidacy. Earlier, a former student activist with the 1966 Student Movement, Rahman Tolleng, said he did not wish to be considered for the commission.

"It was different with Rahman because he never stated his willingness to join the commission from the beginning of the selection process, while Hendardi agreed (to his candidacy) and we even rescheduled his test because he was in the United States," Ferry said.

In Yogyakarta, political observer Andy A. Mallarangeng suggested on Thursday House Commission II prioritize the quality of the candidates, rather than simply trying to meet the target of finding 11 commission members.

"The House should not force itself to meet the target of selecting 11 members for KPU from the 21 candidates. If the House finds that only five of the candidates are qualified, then that should be enough for the time being," Andy, who is a former KPU member, said.

The government initially submitted 22 candidates for the elections commission to the House.

Andy warned that the fit-and-proper tests for the candidates must be based on clear criteria, and those not selected to the commission must be told why they were not chosen.

He said the elections commission could be a neutral institution as long as the selection of its members was not influenced by political interests.

He expressed optimism the next general election would be more democratic if KPU was established as a neutral body. (dja/44)