More KPU members consider quitting over dual roles

More KPU members consider quitting over dual roles

Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

At least two more members of the General Election Commission
(KPU) are considering resigning over the ban on holding two jobs
as stipulated in the newly endorsed election bill, a reliable
source said Wednesday.

The source, who asked not to be identified, told The Jakarta
Post that the requirement for KPU members, who are mostly
university lecturers, to leave their original professions to
commit full-time to the commission, would cause more members to
reconsider their KPU posts.

"Teaching will not disrupt the members' credibility in
carrying out their duties at KPU, if that is what the legislators
have made a fuss about," the source said.

The source added that many members would feel that leaving
their teaching jobs was unethical.

"During the fit and proper test, several members specified
that they would maintain their university teaching posts while
working at KPU. The condition was then approved," the source
said.

Two KPU members, Imam B. Prasodjo and F.X. Mudji Sutrisno, had
already announced their resignation on Tuesday, saying that they
would prefer teaching to being questioned over their
professionalism in having two jobs.

KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti mentioned earlier that he
would also resign, for the reason that he was not willing to give
up his job as a lecturer.

The House of Representatives endorsed the new election bill
two weeks ago, which ruled that all 11 members of KPU had to work
full time in order to concentrate on organizing the upcoming
general elections.

KPU members, who are mostly academicians, had expressed an
aversion toward the ruling, with several threatening to quit the
commission.

Meanwhile, two other members of KPU, Mulyana W. Kusumah and
Hamid Awaludin, said that they would review their options until
mid-April before making their decision.

"The commission has agreed to leave it up to each individual
to choose which course to take. I myself will use the time given
until mid-April in order to make a decision," Hamid said.

Indonesia is scheduled to hold its first ever direct
presidential election in 2004, with voter registration to
commence in April this year.