Political parties to get elections subsidy

Political parties to get elections subsidy

JAKARTA (JP): Beginning next year, the central and local
governments will pay each political party Rp 1,000 (US$0.08)
annually for every vote it secured in the 1999 general elections.

In its press statement released on Tuesday, the Ministry of
Finance called the payment "a subsidy to help the political
parties struggle for their respective ideals."

"The subsidy for each party is based on the votes it earned in
the general elections, and will also be in accordance with the
capabilities of both the central and local governments," the
statement said.

The mechanism for channeling the subsidy from the central
government to the parties will be arranged by the finance
ministry, which will coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs
and Regional Autonomy.

"The amount of the subsidy will be synchronized with the State
Budget. However, local administrations will be given more
autonomy in providing the subsidy for party branches in their
areas, with the amount depending on their regional budgets," the
statement said.

To receive the subsidy, the parties must attach a document
showing the number of votes they gained which must be verified by
either the Indonesian Elections Committee (PPI) or the Local
Elections Committee (PPD), the statement said.

"The government has decided that the subsidy to be given to
each political party will not exceed Rp 1,000 per vote," it said.
(tso)