Minister criticizes 'nepotism' in politics
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)