Parties without financial accountability

There are many bad stories about political parties, which often become problems rather than solutions. One of the absolute facts is that their function is to channel the people's aspirations during general elections. But here in Indonesia this function has become artificial.

One current problem that is particularly shameful is their financial accountability. The Supreme Court has even sent parties a third written reminder about their obligation to submit their financial reports.

But not only that. The General Elections Commission (KPU), the organizer of elections, has apparently filed a rather poor financial report. It has not been able to account for some of its expenses.

We are now witnessing a process where institutions normally responsible for correcting mistakes and making people aware are themselves trying to deceive the public. Political parties that are supposed to take the lead in fighting corruption turn out to be corrupt themselves. They do not teach politics but self- destruction.

The Supreme Court should not issue mere recommendations in the cases involving parties, but rather sanctions, namely rulings disbanding those parties that fail properly to report their financial affairs.

These parties exist merely as a means for their leaders to make a living. This is why civilized politics is something that has yet to come into being in this country. The political parties have neither vision nor mission. How can they say they are civilized if they are afraid of being audited transparently?

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta