Money politics

Money politics

I am writing in response to intensive reports in the capital's
dailies of May 27, May 28 and May 29 regarding Ms. Wardah
Hafidz' exposure of findings of money politics by the Golkar
Party and the People's Sovereignty Party (PDR), the denials made
by those two parties and the terror sustained by Ms. Hafidz.

For the sake of both the organization of a general election
based on direct, free, confidential, honest and fair principles
-- which is everybody's dream -- and the sincere recognition of
whatever may be the outcome of the election by all political
parties taking part in the election so that the likelihood of
postelection conflicts may be removed, I wish to call for a fair
and transparent settlement of the allegations and denials of
money politics practices.

This should be done with reference to the existing facts and
pursuant to the prevailing laws by the Election Supervisory
Committee/General Elections Commission and other relevant
authorities prior to June 7, 1999, so that other political
parties and the community may be informed of and judge for
themselves the said decision/settlement and then give their
response to it (acceptance, rejection or abstention).

This is a matter of crucial importance that must be decided
upon immediately. If it is left unsettled, it may serve as a
postelection time bomb as other political parties may this as a
pretext to reject the validity of the result of the elections,
especially if Golkar and PDR collect more votes than other
parties, or if their lot exceeds what has been estimated by
political experts or by the many polls conducted by various print
and electronic media.

Thorough settlement of this matter is very important,
particularly regarding Golkar and PDR, because if the alleged
money politics practices by these two parties cannot be proved,
this will clean up the reputation of these parties. On the other
hand, if an Election Supervisory Committee examination of the
data presented by Ms. Hafidz proves that the allegation of money
politics is true, the committee should not hesitate to impose a
heavy sanction, pursuant to the General Election Law, on Golkar
and PDR and also their participation in the upcoming June 7
election. In this regard, the two parties must open-heartedly
accept the committee's decision.

As for other political parties, I would like to call on them
to respond to this matter right away and not to make a fuss about
it in the postelection period as this will be but an attempt to
find a scapegoat to foil the general election. Obviously, this is
but a reflection of egotism and unfairness and can bring shame on
oneself.

Now to Ms. Wardah Hafidz. If you stand by the truth of the
data you have collected, I support you and wish to extend my high
respect to you for your great courage and unflinching stand in
exposing irregularities, no matter who the perpetrators are.

WISDARMANTO GS

Jakarta