Politicians united to block audit of campaign funds
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.