Limited number of parties good for democracy: Politicians

Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The fewer political parties contesting the 2004 general elections the better, politicians here say.

"What we need is a multi-party system with a limited number of political parties. There should be no more than 10 parties," said Ali Masykur Musa, a senior legislator from the National Awakening Party (PKB).

He argued that a large number of political parties running in the elections would be detrimental to democracy and political stability.

With a limited number of parties, he said, there would be a clear divide between those in support of the government and those who oppose it.

"In this case a coalition between opposition and ruling parties would be very important unlike the current political situation," Masykur said, adding that a single majority system should be avoided to maintain democracy.

A draft law, being debated at the House of Representatives, stipulates that a party must have branches in at least 20 out of 30 provinces to be eligible for elections. It must also have executives boards in two-thirds of the number of regencies or cities in one province. Electoral contestants must also have at least 1,000 members in each of its branches.

Analysts hailed the bill last week predicting that less than 10 parties would vie for votes in the next election.

More than 150 political parties have registered themselves at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.

Sutradara Gintings, chairman of the Indonesian Nationhood Unity (KKI) faction in the House of Representatives, said the stringent criteria would force minor parties to merge, which was good for democracy.

However, some small parties do not see mergers in a positive light claiming they do not necessarily have a similar vision or platform.

Gregorius Seto Siraet of the Love the Nation Democratic Party (PDKB) said a merger was "unrealistic" for his small party. He cited its merger with PKB. The nation's fourth largest party founded by former president Abdurrahman Wahid had enacted a policy that gives its patron board leaders the highest authority. The PDKB had to merge with the PKB faction in the House recently to comply with technical requirements.

"If the bill is passed into law, it is better for us to form a new party with new executive boards," said Gregorius, who is secretary-general of the Christian-based PDKB.

Sutradara dismissed claims that a merger between minor parties was not feasible for ideological reasons. "It's nonsense. Everything is negotiable in politics," he added.

It requires, "statesmanship and political maturity" on the part of their senior members, he said.

"As long as they put their political egoism above national interests, a merger will remain unrealistic," he said, "if they always want to become the top leaders in their parties, they will reject a coalition".

Mucharor Abdul Mutholib, a legislator from the People's Sovereignty Party (PDU), said a merger would not be a "good alternative" for his minor party, whose supporters mostly come from Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).