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Calls for independent candidates in regional elections growing

Kompas - April 24, 2007

Jakarta – The high political cost that has to be borne by candidates to take part in the election of regional heads (pilkada) is generating calls for the accommodation of independent candidates. Regulations allowing candidates from outside of the political parties must be implemented across the board, not just in Aceh.

This call was made by members of the Reform Struggle Saviors Party (P2R) from various parts of the country that attended the P3R's All Indonesia Regional Leadership Council (DPW) goodwill meeting in Jakarta on Monday April 23.

The P3R failed to take part in the 2004 general elections although it is still officially recognised as a political party since being registered with the Department of Justice and Human Rights in 2003.

DPW member Muhammad Nasir from the West Nusa Tenggara chapter of P3R claimed that the fees for being nominated by a political party in the election of regional heads is massive. Whereas the legitimacy of the political parties among the general public continues to decline.

Because of this therefore, the presence of independent candidates in the election of regional heads around the country needs to be accommodated. "Don't just apply it in Aceh. The other regions are no different from Aceh", said Nasir.

DPW member Badaruddin Utih from Lampung province in Sumatra related how the exorbitant political fees that must be handed over to become a candidate for a political party means that only rich people can participate in the election of regional heads. Whereas it is uncertain whether they have any real capabilities. “In the regions, smart people that don’t have any money will not even be considered”, said Utih.

Judicial review rejected

The government meanwhile has asked the Constitutional Court to reject a request for a judicial review of Law Number 32/2004 on Regional Governments that was submitted by Lalu Ranggalawe, a member of the Regional House of Representatives in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The reason given was that a similar judicial review was submitted in 2005.

This request was made in the government’s opening statement that was read by Ramli Hutabarat, an expert staff member from the Department of Justice and Human Rights during a Constitutional Court hearing in Jakarta on Monday. Because of this, the request for a judicial review should not go ahead.

Ranggalawe has questioned the provisions in Law Number 32/2004 that do not provide an opportunity or the public space for independent candidates in the election of regional heads. He also gave as an example the victory of independent candidates in the recent election of regional heads in Aceh which demonstrated that the people need independent candidates. (mzw/ana)

[Translated by James Balowski.]

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