Political draft law deemed unrealistic, unfair
Kurniawan Hari, Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Political parties great and small criticized the revision of political laws drafted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, saying the administrative requirements to compete in the election were too burdensome and not realistic.
The draft stipulates that political parties are allowed to contest the election if they have chapters in at least two-thirds of provinces and in two-thirds of the number of regencies in each province.
The revision also requires political parties to have 1,000 members in each regency proven by a membership card.
The existing law issued in 1999 requires political parties to have chapters "only" in half of the number of provinces.
A member of the largest party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Pataniari Siahaan complained that the ruling was based on ideal conditions.
"We have to make further assessments whether the assumption has met the reality. We have to review this requirement," Pataniari said at a discussion here on Friday.
Pataniari emphasized that not all political parties won the support or sympathy of the people in the far flung regions.
Laode Djeni Hasmar of the Golkar Party concurred, suggesting that all political parties be given an equal opportunity to compete in the election. "Let the people determine their choice," Laode said.
In the 1999 election, PDI Perjuangan and Golkar appeared to be the only two parties that got significant support from all provinces nationwide, as evidenced by their seats in the House of Representatives.
The third largest party, the United Development Party (PPP) that runs on a strict Islamic platform failed to pocket votes in Bali, which is predominantly Hindu, and East Timor, which was mostly Catholic.
Yoseph Rahawadan of the Christian Democratic Party (PKD) which only has one seat in the House, meanwhile said if the draft passed into law his party and other small parties would not be able to compete in the 2004 election.
He did not specifically mention the reason, but it was clear that s Christian-oriented party would not get support in predominantly Muslim provinces, of which there are many.
Laode suspected the government's move to curb the number of election contestants was aimed at reducing state expenditures in subsidies for political parties.
A decree issued by then president Abdurrahman Wahid stipulated that political parties would receive a Rp 1,000 subsidy for each vote collected in the election.
Separately, Smita Notosusanto of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) agreed, saying that the requirements were too burdensome for both small and big parties.
"I think it is unrealistic," said Smita, adding that the drafters possibly had no idea of the low capacity of the existing political parties.
Articles deemed unfair
Article 14:
1. Political parties can compete in the election if they meet the following requirements: a. their presence is recognized under the law; b. possess an executive board in at least 2/3 of the provinces; c. possess an executive board in at least 2/3 of regencies in each province; d. have at least 1,000 members in each regency as shown by membership cards; e. the executive chapter must have a permanent office; f. the party has a symbol.
2. General Election Commission (KPU) decides the legitimacy of the requirements.
Article 15:
1. Political parties (which ran in the 1999 election) must have 3 percent of seats in the DPR.
2. A political party that does not meet one or more of the requirements is not allowed to contest the election, unless it forms a coalition with others.