Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 10/06/2008 9:57 AM | Headlines
In an attempt to promote transparency and prevent illegal funding in the presidential election, the House of Representatives has agreed on prison terms for candidates who fail to report their campaign funding.
"There are fears of mysterious and unaudited funds disbursed into candidates' accounts. We've always been suspicious that such funds stem from criminal activities or money laundering," said Ganjar Pranowo of the House's Commission II overseeing national affairs, who is involved in deliberations on the presidential election bill.
Because of this concern, the House's special committee deliberating the bill has endorsed prison terms of between 12 and 48 months for campaigners and candidates who fail to report their campaign funding and donations in the forms of goods and services.
In addition, they would have to pay a fine three times the amount of money received.
"A (presidential or vice presidential) candidate would be automatically disqualified from the race once they face this criminal charge," the special committee's chairman, Ferry Mursyidan Baldan, said Sunday.
Ferry, from the Golkar Party, said candidates were prohibited from receiving money from foreign parties, central and regional administrations, as well as state- and province-owned companies.
Ganjar, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said that in the past the General Elections Commission (KPU) had difficulty tracking foreign donations. He added there were many dubious sources of funds in past elections.
"There was a case in which a candidate received Rp 100 million from a becak (three-wheeled pedicab) driver. How could be this possible?" Ganjar said.
The bill demands candidates attach tax identification numbers (NPWP) of each donor in their reports. The NPWP is required for donations of Rp 5 million or more.
Andi Yuliani Paris of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said other important points of the bill included a provision to imprison and fine candidates dropping out of the race.
Under the new bill, candidates who quit the race before the first round of voting would be sentenced to between 24 months and 60 months in jail and fined from Rp 25 billion to Rp 50 billion.
Those who drop out after the first round or during the runoff would face between 36 and 72 months of imprisonment and Rp 50 billion to Rp 100 billion in fines.
"This will demand consistency from the candidates and prevent conspiracy among them and political parties," Andi said, adding it could also "save" the state budget by preventing unnecessary expenditure of election funds.
The House expects to pass the bill on Oct. 24, according to Ferry. Factions remain split over whether a candidate should be selected based on a party's number of votes or House seats.
In an attempt to promote transparency and prevent illegal funding in the presidential election, the House of Representatives has agreed on prison terms for candidates who fail to report their campaign funding.
"There are fears of mysterious and unaudited funds disbursed into candidates' accounts. We've always been suspicious that such funds stem from criminal activities or money laundering," said Ganjar Pranowo of the House's Commission II overseeing national affairs, who is involved in deliberations on the presidential election bill.
Because of this concern, the House's special committee deliberating the bill has endorsed prison terms of between 12 and 48 months for campaigners and candidates who fail to report their campaign funding and donations in the forms of goods and services.
In addition, they would have to pay a fine three times the amount of money received.
"A (presidential or vice presidential) candidate would be automatically disqualified from the race once they face this criminal charge," the special committee's chairman, Ferry Mursyidan Baldan, said Sunday.
Ferry, from the Golkar Party, said candidates were prohibited from receiving money from foreign parties, central and regional administrations, as well as state- and province-owned companies.
Ganjar, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said that in the past the General Elections Commission (KPU) had difficulty tracking foreign donations. He added there were many dubious sources of funds in past elections.
"There was a case in which a candidate received Rp 100 million from a becak (three-wheeled pedicab) driver. How could be this possible?" Ganjar said.
The bill demands candidates attach tax identification numbers (NPWP) of each donor in their reports. The NPWP is required for donations of Rp 5 million or more.
Andi Yuliani Paris of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said other important points of the bill included a provision to imprison and fine candidates dropping out of the race.
Under the new bill, candidates who quit the race before the first round of voting would be sentenced to between 24 months and 60 months in jail and fined from Rp 25 billion to Rp 50 billion.
Those who drop out after the first round or during the runoff would face between 36 and 72 months of imprisonment and Rp 50 billion to Rp 100 billion in fines.
"This will demand consistency from the candidates and prevent conspiracy among them and political parties," Andi said, adding it could also "save" the state budget by preventing unnecessary expenditure of election funds.
The House expects to pass the bill on Oct. 24, according to Ferry. Factions remain split over whether a candidate should be selected based on a party's number of votes or House seats.