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)