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)