Less is more

Mon, 03/03/2008 12:52 AM  |  Opinion

Barring the unforeseeable changing of minds among factions at the House of Representatives, the legislative body will today pass a bill that will allow 16 political parties to contest in the 2009 elections.

Among the 16 are nine minor parties which are already represented in the current House, but have failed to meet the newly agreed electoral threshold of 3 percent.

The Star Reform Party (PBR), Prosperous Peace Party (PDS), Star Crescent Party--formerly known as the Crescent Star Party (PBB), United Democratic Nationhood Party (PPDK), Pioneer Party, National Functional Concern Party (PKPB), Indonesian Nationalist Party (PNI) Marhaenism, Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI) and Indonesian Democratic Vanguard (PPDI) have all secured berths.

The smaller parties are making a comeback in their quest for House seats thanks to a deal reached with major parties on a strange transitional clause, exempting the nine from the threshold.

Another 47 parties will join the 16 qualifiers, provided they pass a series of verification tests conducted by the Justice and Human Rights Ministry and the General Elections Commission.

No doubt, the compromise reached in the deliberation of the new election bill runs counter to the spirit of party simplification envisioned by the bill itself.

Democracy in Indonesia has seen the birth of hundreds of political parties, and a multi-party system which is responsible for the political instability which has been plaguing the country since the political reforms began in 1998.

Unlike during the New Order, the reform movement has resulted in administration prone to dealings with power brokers at the House, often at the expense of the community.

Strong political parties on the one hand, and an effective government on the other, have been cause for concern among the general public, sparking a tough debate which has remained unresolved.

Political parties are a key instrument in democracy as they are supposed to articulate the people's aspirations in any decision making process.

Parties also provide political education for people, particularly their constituents, a process that is expected to instill democratic values and, most importantly (given Indonesia's pluralism), mutual respect.

During elections, voters choose parties they believe will fight for their causes, which at the end of the day would be translated into government policies. That seems not to be the case here though, in Indonesia.

Political parties have grown in number for many reasons, including internal disputes and intention to survive political backlash. Old faces, including those closely linked to the authoritarian New Order regime, have founded new parties and could pose a threat to other parties in the 2009 polls.

The democracy which Indonesia upholds provides an equal opportunity for all to assemble and form political parties. Consequently, past elements have the right to have their say and even resume power. But democracy has loopholes too, and it is simply up to the people whether we will surrender the (democratic) system we have struggled for.

While the right to form political parties is well protected under the Constitution, the creation of an effective government is of a great relevance.

With poverty and unemployment still plaguing the country and many having no access to health care, Indonesia is in need of a government capable of addressing chronic problems. Such a priority agenda should not be distracted by rivalry between executive and legislative powers which has often emerged under the mask of the checks and balances mechanism.

The electoral and parliamentary thresholds agreed upon by House factions are a minimum arrangement to simplify the existing multi-party system but remain a far cry from supporting an effective government.

Indonesia needs to adopt a single-member constituency system of elections, better known as the district system, and replace its current proportional multi-member constituency. This would both simplify the political party system and form an effective government.

Minor parties and their supporters would be sacrificed under a district election system but, as some scholars believe, they can still articulate their aspirations without House seats due to the moderate nature of parties in Indonesia.

Many parties here have much in common, except leaders. A district system will force political parties and politicians to work and fight for their constituents' interests, which is what the nation expects from political reforms.

The agenda for Indonesia's democratization after 2009 will therefore be weeding out opportunist parties and politicians. With fewer parties, Indonesia will still have ample opportunity to build a more stable and effective government.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.