The PPP saga
The National Development Party (PPP) may be excluded from the next general election if it is found to have invested its money in the controversial agribusiness firm PT Qurnia Subur Alam Raya (QSAR).
According to Law No. 2/1999 on political parties, a party, which is a nonprofit organization, is not allowed to have shares in a profit-oriented company.
If found guilty, PPP will have to give up its right to participate in the election.
The law also requires a political party to report to the Supreme Court its financial position at year's end and every 15 days before and 30 days after a general election. If the party violates this rule the Supreme Court can impose an administrative sanction by stopping fund disbursement. The law is aimed at preventing political parties from engaging in money politics.
Control over political party financial spending is crucial, and this is another responsibility for the Supreme Court.
Therefore, part of the control over political parties has been shared with the Constitutional Commission, as stated in the third amendment of the 1945 Constitution.
Now a financial problem has emerged with PPP, but the Supreme Court cannot get involved in it. On the basis of this incident we are becoming aware that the law on political parties is quite weak.
-- Media Indonesia
JP/NATIONAL NEWS
Li Peng's visit
Not only is the ongoing visit of People's Republic of China (PRC) parliamentary speaker Li Peng to Indonesia important in terms of bilateral relations, it is also interesting to observe from the perspective of China's own problems.
Li Peng visited Indonesia less than one month after Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu. As host, Indonesia welcomed Lu and Li Peng openly. Indonesia has also reiterated its support for the one-China policy.
The presence of Li Peng for five days since Sept. 8 in Indonesia has been a display of diplomacy taken by PRC after canceling its plan to buy liquefied natural gas from Indonesia. Taiwan seems to have taken advantage of the canceled purchase of natural gas. Taiwan indicated that it was ready to buy LNG from Indonesia, showing that the former's position is in contrast with China's.
In terms of diplomatic measures taken by Indonesia, the foreign visits by Indonesian leaders are questionable. The overseas trips made by both former president Abdurrahman Wahid and incumbent President Megawati are considered unsatisfactory as the country continues to suffer from myriad problems.
-- Kompas