Violence and money politics

Violence and money politics

From Neraca

Every day we read in our press that the reformists' camp is worried that there will be violence and/or money politics during the presidential election in the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). On the other hand, we also read that the opposite camp, the pro-status-quo camp, is also claiming to be reformists, and its success team is now working all out to have its candidate elected president.

Violence (during the presidential election) may be easily proved and stern action can be taken against the perpetrators. However, in the case of money politics, it is difficult to accurately prove that it has been practiced, while it is this accurate proof that is always required by the security apparatuses and the parties allegedly practicing money politics. Baligate is strongly suspected to be a means to raise fund for money politics.

If a political scandal like the Bank Bali case occurs in a liberal country, the straight lines drawn from the people involved in the case will form component and resultant lines, the projection of which will go toward one person at the highest level. So, without going through a judicial process, this person, who occupies the highest place, will resign. In the Watergate political scandal in the United States, for example, president Nixon tendered his resignation.

However, in a Pancasila-based country, the settlement of a case like this must go through a judicial process because in a Pancasila-based country, everything must be constitutional and supported by accurate evidence. Don't be surprised, therefore, that Baligate will be settled before the court trial begins because it is impossible to collect accurate legal evidence about this case.

Laymen, logically, hope that the full names of those receiving funds amounting to Rp 546 billion, and the full names of those returning the money later, be made public. In this way, it will be possible to see whether the recipients match those returning the money.

It seems that money politics in the presidential election during the General Session of the MPR will run safely and under control in accordance with the constitution. And in this respect, it is impossible to gather any accurate evidence about this practice. If this is the case, why not become a liberal state?

DEHEN BINTI

Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan