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)