Political parties rush to register for election

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Justice opened on Friday the registration of prospective poll contestants, including the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) under Megawati Soekarnoputri and four other parties all claiming to be the Indonesian National Party (PNI).

Megawati's party was officially registered under the name PDI Perjuangan (PDI Strife), bearing the logo of a bull's head which was only slightly different from that of the rival PDI faction under Budi Hardjono.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) led by Amien Rais, which some analysts consider to be a serious contender, also registered on Friday. The Justice and Unity Party, formed by a group of dissenters from Golkar, was also registered by Secretary-General Hayono Isman.

The four PNIs were led, respectively, by senior politician Supeni, businessman Probosutedjo (who is also former president Soeharto's half-brother), Bachtar Oscha Chalik and Maruli T.T.

There were two other parties registered under the same name, Partai Syarikat Islam Indonesia (PSII), one chaired by Taufik R. Tjokroaminoto while the other was led by H. Bustaman. A registration official said the two Muslim parties gave the same address as their headquarters.

The PNI was once an influential party under founding president Sukarno, Megawati's father. Following the political opening when Soeharto resigned from the presidency last May, different groups of politicians initiated their own campaigns to revive the PNI.

Minister of Justice Muladi insisted no party is allowed to have an identical name or logo to any others. This is in order to prevent voter confusion.

Besides, he argued, the policy was "in those parties' own best interests," he said.

A total of 32 parties registered on the first day and registration would last until Feb. 21.

Party representatives began filling up the second floor of the ministry from as early as 8:30 in the morning. The head of the committee for the registration of political parties, Soejetty Wardhanto, said her office opens on Saturdays and Sundays.

There have been varying figures of the number of parties newly established, ranging from 140 to 230.

To register the parties have to bring a copy of a notary document testifying to their establishment, the list of names of the party's founders and executives, a copy of a document which testifies to party programs and statutes, as well as their logos and official names.

At the front desk of the registration office, representatives filled in forms. Officials would then check the accompanying documents and see whether they were completed correctly.

Another registration official, Mohammad Zein, said a selection team would decide the eligibility of the parties to be registered as corporate bodies, before they were forwarded for further processing by the "Team of Eleven" and the yet-to-be-established National Elections Committee.

The selection team comprises officials from the home affairs, justice and defense ministries, the Armed Forces (ABRI) headquarters, experts from various fields, as well as Kastorius Sinaga from the "Team of Eleven."

The team of eleven comprises respected scholars and activists whose task would be to select the parties which would be able to contest the poll.

Harry Ganda Asi of the Indonesian Allied Democratic party (PADI) said parties have to pay between Rp 750,000 and Rp 1 million to get the proper notary documents.

Balkan Kaplale, who chairs the Partai Mencerdaskan Bangsa (Party for the Sharpening of the Nation's Mind) said registration ran smoothly as officials were helpful.

Some party representatives also praised the registration committee because of its simple procedures and clear instructions.

Muladi officiated at the opening of the registration, promising to stay as far away as possible from electioneering activities in the runup to the general election.

"The government will not intervene as in the past this was construed as political engineering to favor certain parties," said Muladi.

"We would not want to tarnish the government's credibility by interfering in the process," he said. (01)