Major factions oppose govt control over KPU

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Major parties united in their demands on Thursday for an independent General Elections Commission (KPU) by rejecting the government's control of the institution's secretariat.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Golkar Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB) said in their general view of the general elections bill proposed by the government that further discussion focusing on the independence of the committee was necessary.

"We suggest that the secretary-general be part of the committee and not come under the supervision of the minister of home affairs, as proposed by the government," PDI Perjuangan legislator Rusman Lumban Toruan said.

All factions presented their general views during a plenary meeting of the House's special committee deliberating the draft bill on general elections on Thursday.

Rusman further said that KPU was tasked with organizing the general elections, but there should be different institutions to supervise the fairness and accountability of the election.

The government proposed that the minister of home affairs appoint the KPU secretary-general to ensure accountability of the election fund, which is allocated in the state budget. KPU has demanded Rp 3 trillion to organize the 2004 elections.

Golkar Party, through its spokesman Simon Patrice Morin, shared PDI Perjuangan's stance, saying "there must be a guarantee to ensure KPU's independency".

PKB spokesman Ali Masykur Musa said that the importance of the KPU as the organizer of the election should remain free from any intervention.

"There should be a discussion to ensure the autonomy of the KPU, especially regarding the position of the secretary-general," he told the session.