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is outdated given the current political stability.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)