Minister criticizes 'nepotism' in politics

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat criticized yesterday the nepotistic tendencies behind the selection of candidates for the general election in May.

"Recruitment of legislative candidates should not be based on their proximity to or relations with government and military officials," Edi replied when asked by reporters to comment on the choice of candidates.

The political parties that nominate them should recruit candidates based on merit, he said after a hearing with House Commission I for political and security affairs.

"If you are qualified you should be the one who sits in the House," said the retired Army general.

The issue was only briefly touched on at the hearing. Ironically, it was raised by a legislator from Golkar, the dominant faction and, of the three political groups contesting the May 29 election, the most widely accused of nepotism.

Syafrinus, the Golkar legislator, regretted that some government officials regard the practice as acceptable.

"I find it hard to believe that some officials say there is nothing wrong with nepotism in recruiting members for the House of Representatives," he said.

Nepotism emerged as an issue earlier this month when the General Election Institute released the names of some 2,000 candidates who will run for the 425 seats opening up in the House.

Technically, members of the public have the right to raise objections to any of the candidates, but the leaders of the three political groups have final say.

Golkar's list of candidates includes the wives and children of high-ranking government and military officials.

While leaders of the ruling political group have dismissed the accusations, saying that its candidates were picked after a stringent selection process, some from within the group's own ranks have voiced objections.

Tadjus Sobirin, chairman of Golkar's Jakarta chapter, for example, has protested the nomination of dangdut musician Rhoma Irama as a candidate for Jakarta. (imn)