Screening of communists no longer needed
Screening of communists no longer needed
JAKARTA (JP): Candidates for the 1997 general elections may not have to undergo the military special screening procedures, aimed at weeding out those with communist links, because there is no longer requirement for it.
Former home minister Rudini revealed in a discussion yesterday that President Soeharto agreed to the end of screening election candidates in 1992. But the President's support came too late, he said.
This bit of information was previously unknown to the public.
Rudini said when he was minister and overseeing the 1992 elections, he had decided "that there would be no screening." The President had agreed to his recommendation, Rudini said.
As it turned out, however, the military had already issued instructions for the screening.
Rudini, who also chaired the 1992 national elections committee, said authorities then had to find a "middle way" for the differing stance between his office and the military.
"We agreed to the screenings but everyone, except the most extreme, were to pass the procedures," he said.
"Practically and theoretically," there is no need for screening now, Rudini said.
He added screening, or usually called "special examinations", is outdated given the current political stability.
Of course the decision for the 1997 elections lies with the current authorities, he said.
Bakorstanas, a security coordinating body, is the agency with the authorities to screen prospective officials and politicians. Anyone found by it to have past communist links cannot enter the bureaucracy nor can they become a leader of a political organization.
Rudini was among the speakers in a workshop discussing the first phase of a study on election systems by the Center for Information and Development Studies.
He said many ex-political prisoners now have the right to vote and the right to be elected.
"Screening should only be done by request of organizations (who suspect certain members)," Rudini said.
Some parties, including the Armed Forces (ABRI), have said screening may still be needed to prevent infiltration of former communists into Golkar and the other political parties.
Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the United Development Party (PPP) have complained that screening has been used to block their candidates from joining elections.
"That is just an excess of subordinates abusing orders," said Rudini.
Legislator and PDI executive Sabam Sirait agreed to the end of screening.
He said it is up to political parties to ask authorities to screen their candidates if necessary.
No party wants a candidate that can cause its defeat, he said.
By screening only on request, the government would facilitate honest and fair elections, he said.
Rudini said one way of preventing public servants dominating elections could be the detachment of the elected President and appointed ministers of their membership of political organizations.
Because public servants are members of the compulsory Korpri organization under the Golkar ruling party, they also strive to win votes for Golkar, the speakers said.
Rudini, Sabam and Aisyah Amini of the United Development Party described incidences in past elections, showing how bureaucrats who handle elections work in favor of Golkar.
Rudini said the current proportional system is best as it reflects "our familial, cooperative spirit."
In past elections votes for Golkar are sometimes given to the other political parties, he said.
Other speakers were Golkar member Theo Sambuaga and political scientist Bintan Saragih. (anr)