PPP's bill receives tacit support from PDI

PPP's bill receives tacit support from PDI

JAKARTA (JP): An electoral reform bill proposed by the United
Development Party (PPP) has received the tacit support of the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) after being flatly rejected by
the ruling Golkar party.

PDI legislators said yesterday that they back the initiative
but doubt if the PPP is serious about proposing the bill. They
added that the maneuver was mostly a means for the PPP to attract
voters in next year's general election.

The PDI is the only political party that the PPP can turn to
for support, as the other organizations, Golkar and the Armed
Forces, have rejected the idea.

"We are all waiting for the PPP to ask for our formal
support," said PDI Legislator Royani Haminullah. "I am sure the
House of Representatives will accept it if the PPP pushes ahead
with the draft."

A similar statement was made by PDI legislator Budi Hardjono.
He said his party does not mind lending its support, but recalled
the PPP's tight-lipped stance when the PDI made the same proposal
in the 1980s.

"We strongly support any initiative that will help improve the
image of the House and the people's well-being. The bill (on
electoral reforms) has come at a time when the House is being
branded as a passive institution that only waits for government
initiative," he said.

But legislators from the Moslem-oriented PPP did not sound
enthusiastic about pressing ahead with the bill, which is likely
to strain its traditionally good relationship with the
government.

Jusuf Syakir, a respected PPP lawmaker, said that the party is
beginning to lobby other factions in the House, including Golkar
and the powerful Armed Forces.

"We haven't set a target for when our bill can be
deliberated," Jusuf said. "We are aware that we will have to rely
on support from other factions."

The PPP is seeking a legal framework that will give all
political organizations an equal chance to participate in the
electoral process, from planning to the final evaluation. Under
the current law, the electoral process is "monopolized" by the
President, who chairs Golkar's board of patrons.

Proposals to reform any political laws must be discussed prior
to the presidential election scheduled for March 1998.

Under Indonesian law, a bill proposed by a political
organization must have support from at least two factions in the
legislative body and from 20 legislators before it can be
accepted for deliberation.

Critics also regard the PPP bill as a pre-election gimmick to
polish its image as a conservative, pro-government party, adding
that it is only a matter of time before the party drops the
proposal.

One of the critics, PDI legislator Aberson Marle Sihaloho,
says the PPP will not jeopardize its good relationship with the
government by insisting on having the bill discussed.

"Remember that President Soeharto has told Golkar leaders to
be careful of any moves to revise the electoral laws," he said.

"Ismail Hasan Metareum (the PPP's chairman) has a close
relationship with the President. If he insists on changing the
electoral laws, there must be an extraordinary development in
their relationship," Aberson added.

He added that the PPP will go ahead with its plan to propose a
haj pilgrimage bill which is not likely to invoke the
government's wrath.

Aberson also said that in return for PDI support, the PPP will
probably back the PDI's proposal for an anti-monopoly bill.

For the past several months, PPP chairman Ismail Hasan
Metareum has complained of fraud during elections, and pledged to
push for reforms. (pan)