PPP, Golkar and PDI register for June 7
PPP, Golkar and PDI register for June 7
JAKARTA (JP): Three established political parties -- the
United Development Party (PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI) -- joined the more than 100 new political
parties on Thursday registering with the Ministry of Justice for
the upcoming general election.
Under the new law on political parties, the three parties
automatically qualify to register with the ministry.
As many as 115 parties have registered with the ministry as of
Thursday afternoon, but only 71 satisfied administrative
requirements, registration committee spokesman Bambang Wiyono
said.
On Thursday, Golkar -- whose name is the abbreviation of
Golongan Karya or functional group -- was registered by deputy
chairman Agung Laksono, secretary-general Tuswandi and several
other party executives.
Soon it will formally declare itself a political party rather
than a mere "grouping". However, Golkar registered on Thursday as
Golongan Karya not Partai Golongan Karya.
Agung said Golkar Party would be the organization's name.
Golkar officials arrived to register shortly after executives
from PPP and PDI.
Golkar, PPP and PDI decided to register a few days after
Minister of Justice Muladi urged them to do so, citing a
stipulation in the new political law that established parties
must "adjust themselves".
Oka Mahendra, a member of Muladi's staff, pointed out that
there have been changes in the three parties, either in their
symbols or organizational statutes.
PPP secretary-general Alimarwan Hanan said PPP had planned to
register from the beginning.
"Of course we have to do so ... we want to continue flying,"
Alimarwan said.
Meanwhile, the PDI faction under the leadership of Budi
Hardjono was registered by Didi Mokoginta, a staff member with
the party.
Under the new political law, over 140 new political parties
now registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs must submit
administrative documents to the justice ministry's registration
committee so their names can be published in the State Gazettes
as new corporate bodies.
The registration will close on Feb. 21.
According to the government's blueprint for the general
election, those parties the justice ministry's committee deems
qualified will be screened further by the General Election
Institute with the assistance of the Team of Eleven, which
consists of respected public figures.
Andi A. Mallarangeng, a member of the team, said on Thursday
that so far only 12 parties had qualified to be screened by the
team. Screenings will commence on Feb. 21 and last until Feb. 23.
Only parties which are approved by the Team of Eleven will be
allowed to contest the June 7 general election. (aan)