Why should ministers not campaign?

Concerning the ongoing discussion on whether Cabinet ministers should be allowed to campaign for individual parties, I would like to suggest a compromise. Ministers should be permitted to campaign only on Saturdays and Sundays. In this way, they are not compelled to take leave, which means that they can accomplish their regular duties on normal working days. If ministers campaign only on weekends, this might also help to avoid additional traffic disturbances.

Regarding the possible and much feared abuse of state facilities by campaigning ministers, I am sure that this can be contained because each and every move of theirs, particularly of those who belong to the Functional Group (Golkar), will be carefully watched by the media and the public.

Of course, Golkar was Soeharto's political vehicle and -- without any doubt -- has had quite an inglorious record concerning corruption, collusion, nepotism and electoral manipulation over the last three decades. But despite these mistakes by the former Golkar, which has now turned into a political party, the decision of the General Elections Commission (KPU) to bar Cabinet ministers, which mostly belong to Golkar, from campaigning in the run-up to the June general elections, seems to me very narrow-minded. This decision looks like an act of revenge, punishment for Golkar for sins performed in the past. If this is the case -- which I tend to believe -- it raises concerns that KPU may not be able to make objective decisions on other important issues as well.

Whether the June 7 general election will be held in a fair and honest manner does not -- according to my opinion -- depend on the question of whether Cabinet ministers are allowed to campaign but rather on whether all contesting parties are prepared to accept the possibility of losing and facing defeat with dignity.

MRS. HILDE MAY

Jakarta