Politicians united to block audit of campaign funds

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Politicians have blocked public demands for transparency in the campaign funds channeled to and spent by presidential candidates, casting doubt over their commitment to a fair and honest election, observers say.

House of Representatives legislators deliberating the presidential election bill have unanimously approved an article that will give public accountants only four days to thoroughly examine details of the bank accounts of presidential candidates.

Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) deputy coordinator Luky Djani and Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) member Didik Supriyanto, demanded more time for a thorough audit.

"The stipulation is not applicable. It's just unrealistic," Luky told a discussion in Jakarta on Friday.

They suspected the short time given for the audit was a conspiracy among politicians to cover up illegal revenues and expenditures to evade penalties.

The presidential election bill requires each presidential candidate to open a bank account for his or her campaign.

Donations from individuals and institutions must not exceed Rp 100 million (US$12,195) and Rp 750 million respectively. Violators can be jailed for between four and 24 months, fined between Rp 200 million and Rp 1 billion fine, and disqualification of a candidate.

The campaign funds may come from the candidates themselves, their affiliated political parties and donations from individuals or institutions.

The deputy chairman of the House's special committee deliberating the presidential election bill, Chozin Chumaidy, disclosed on Friday that the nine factions in the committee had agreed that a candidate would be audited twice.

The first audit would be conducted when candidates were proposed by political parties. The audit would unveil the initial account of the campaign funds raised by each candidate.

The second audit would be conducted one day after the 30-day campaign period ends.

"One day after the campaign term is closed, the account will be audited and the results will be announced three days before the election day," Chozin said.

The House has agreed on the polling day, which will fall seven days after the campaign ends. This means there are only four days for the audit.

Besides creating difficulties for the auditor, the decision to allow only two audits will hinder accountants being able to trace irregularities quickly.

Didik and Luky feared that violations might be found after a candidate was elected the president.

"Should this happen, what will we do?" Didik asked.

Chozin said the House factions agreed not to limit the amount of money a presidential candidate could obtain, as long as it was obtained according to the regulations.

"The amount of campaign funds depends on the wealth of political parties and on how each party prepares for the campaign."

Chozin said the names of presidential candidates would be submitted to the General Elections Commission (KPU) with the initial details of their campaign funds.

He said the KPU would announce eligible candidates and their respective campaign funds at the same time.