Youth groups call for probe into money politics

Youth groups call for probe into money politics

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Youth Committee (KNPI),
representing 65 youth organizations nationwide, urged the
government on Thursday to look into alleged money politics in
recent elections of regents and mayors in a number of provinces.

The committee chairman Adhyaksa said he had received numerous
reports of illicit practices, including the most recent mayoral
election in North Sumatra and a regent in Central Sulawesi.

"The home affairs minister should not recognize any regent or
mayor who used money to win election. Such practices are harmful
to democracy," he said.

He suggested that major political parties take measures
against their representatives involved in the practice,
particularly in those two provinces.

"In the case of the recent Medan mayoral election, the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) should
punish legislators for accepting bribes," he said.

The party executives have suspended 16 councilors representing
it at the Medan legislature after they admitted accepting bribes
from the eventual winner of the mayoral election.

Adhyaksa warned against the practice of businessmen supporting
regent and mayoral candidates for their own selfish interests.

"Troubled regents and mayors will spend lots of money during
their tenure because of sponsorships they receive from
businessmen. Regional autonomy is not aimed at protecting
businessmen's interests but at improving local people's social
welfare," he said.

He said KNPI threw its weight behind the suggestion of direct
election of governors, regents and mayors in the future because
the current indirect democratic system could be manipulated.

"We will support the idea that was recently proposed by the
government and PDI Perjuangan to directly elect the president and
vice president and local officials in the next general election
to avoid money politics," he said.

He said most people have been politically mature in electing
their national leaders and the political elites should heed
people's demands.

"The direct election of the president and vice president can't
be conducted mainly because our political elites are not well
prepared," he said.

President Abdurrahman Wahid and PDI Perjuangan Chairwoman
Megawati Soekarnoputri have recently proposed a direct
presidential and vice presidential election to allow a political
party winning the general election to form the new government.

Adhyaksa that KNPI proposed a direct presidential and vice
presidential election in the 1977 general election but met
opposition from many sides, including legislative bodies.

He said political parties should promote the concept of direct
presidential elections to their cadres, so that it could be
implemented in the 2004 general election. (rms)