KPU to help parties in fund snarl

JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) decided on Monday to act as facilitator of a meeting between leaders of political parties and President B.J. Habibie to discuss campaign funds for the 48 political parties contesting the polls.

Failure to acquire the funds is unfair, especially to the new parties, KPU deputy chairman Adnan Buyung Nasution said at his office on Monday.

KPU chairman Rudini said the meeting would be arranged as soon as possible and "we may meet this week".

Political parties complained about the lack of campaign funds and accused the government of "not being supportive of the polls" due to perceived apathy on its handling.

"Up to the present, the government has yet to respond on the campaign fund available for political parties," he said.

Article 48 of the Elections Law states that parties are eligible to obtain campaign funds from the government, eligible voters and related political parties as well as from individuals and/or corporates.

The commission has ruled that each political party is entitled to a maximum of Rp 110 billion in campaign funds. The Indonesian Accountant Association (IAI) will conduct audits of the use.

Under the rule, a party can spend in each village Rp 1 million, Rp 6 million in each district, Rp 40 million in each regency and Rp 100 million in each province.

"There seems to be various interpretation of rules. The government may think that a total of Rp 150 million party fund for each of the 48 parties has included the campaign fund.

"Such an amount is certainly not enough," Adnan said.

Parties varied on their suggestion of the amount of government support. Golkar, for instance, proposed Rp 1 billion.

Adnan, a noted lawyer, also slammed the National Elections Supervisory Committee's incapability in handling rampant poll riggings up to the last day of the first campaign round. "We need more meetings to coordinate our jobs."

Todung Mulya Lubis, deputy chairman of the supervisory committee, said separately: "It is KPU which makes unclear regulations that are not conducive to fair and free polls." (edt)