Ismail admits PPP is short of funds

Ismail admits PPP is short of funds

JAKARTA (JP): Chief of the United Development Party (PPP)
Ismail Hasan Metareum has admitted that financial difficulties
have been hampering the Moslem-based party's preparations for the
1997 general elections.

"Unlike other political organizations, PPP is unlucky in its
efforts to generate funds to meet the upcoming elections or to
carry out its activities," he said in Ambon, Maluku, yesterday.

"This is the poorest party in terms of funds to manage and run
such a big organization ... because we don't have (the support
of) conglomerates and bureaucrats," he was quoted by Antara as
saying during a speech which opened a local party meeting.

He added that the party has been relying on government
donations. Provincial chapters and smaller branches of PPP
receive government funds allocated in the regional budget, while
the central executive board receives Rp 7.5 million (US$3,160)
monthly from the state budget.

"We have to make do with whatever funds are available. But you
should never give up on your activities or be discouraged because
of money shortages," he told party cadres. "This party may be
poor, but we are rich in spirituality and we'll go on with our
mission."

He advised the party activists not to feel inferior or jealous
of other parties' wealth. "The fact that we're poor shows that
we're part of the common people who are struggling to empower
themselves."

Only last week, a leading Golkar member said that the ruling
political organization is so rich, that he sometimes has to
refuse donations.

East Java Governor Basofi Soedirman denied reports that levies
were being taxed on civil servants in an attempt to beef up
Golkar's political funds, saying that Golkar already has an
abundance of funds gathered from various private donations and
that it is financially ready for the coming elections.

Basofi explained that Golkar has received funds from
businessmen whose ventures benefited from the positive political
and economic climate provided by Golkar's effort in national
development.

"It has come to a point where I'm flooded (with donations) and
have to refuse them," Basofi said of Golkar's election funds.

Several civil servants in East Java -- particularly teachers
-- have complained that their monthly wages are being cut to
donate to Golkar's election funds. (swe)