`KPU needs full support to organize elections'

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A state official and several political analysts have called on all sides to fully support the General Election Commission (KPU), instead of questioning its members' commitment, as it undertakes the task of organizing the 2004 general election.

Daniel Sparingga, a political analyst at the Airlangga University in Surabaya, East Java, said it was no longer relevant to doubt the election commission's performance since its 11 members had shown a strong commitment to prepare the general election, scheduled for the middle of 2004.

"The issue of KPU members' holding down two jobs should not be blown out of proportion. Instead, we have to support them to carry out their tasks," Daniel told The Jakarta Post here on Sunday.

People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais agreed, adding that cynical comments could prompt KPU members to quit.

Should KPU members quit, it would delay the elections as the legislators would have to select new members to replace those leaving the commission and the recruitment process would certainly take months, he said.

Amien added that the 11 members of the KPU had passed the test at the House, therefore the public would have to support them.

A number of legislators have attacked several members of the KPU who also work as lecturers at universities, saying that those members who could not give all of their time to the election commission should resign. The attack was launched following the election commission's recent criticism against the House, which was considered to be too slow for deliberating bills.

The KPU has been eagerly awaiting the enactment of four bills to know what it should do in preparing for the general election in the next 12 months.

Of the four bills, two of them -- the bills on political parties and the general election -- have been endorsed, while the other two on the composition of the MPR, regional representatives, the House and provincial and regency legislative bodies are being deliberated by the House.

KPU members have made preparations for the elections over the past two years. The commission had formed regional branches, trained people, as well as learned election management overseas.

Under Law No.4/2000 -- a revision to Law No.3/1999 on elections -- KPU members cannot occupy political or structural positions.

However, an election bill recently approved by the House requires that the 11 KPU members work full-time. KPU members are debating this new ruling.

Jimly Asshiddiqie, a constitutional law expert, suggested that the public not be too rigid in perceiving this ruling.

He said KPU members, most of whom are lecturers, should be allowed to teach at colleges. Jimly said that for academicians teaching was a part of their activities.

Jimly said that KPU members could declare themselves not active or take an extended leave from their college.