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.