Factions approve election draft

Nine factions in the House of Representatives have agreed to the changes drafted in the 2008 law on political parties.

The factions are those of the Golkar Party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Democrat Party, the Social Justice Party (PKS), the People's Conscience Party (Hanura), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the Great Indonesian Movement (Gerindra) Party and the National Awakening Party (PKB).

The main changes include decreasing the minimum number of people needed to formally establish a political party from 50 people to 30 people. In addition, people wishing to establish a party are not required to have a minimum amount of money deposited in a bank.

Parties must also set up offices in every province, district and municipality and will receive funding from the state or district budget according to the size of the party. They must then submit a financial report to the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

Besides receiving financial support from the state, parties can receive support from corporations, with the maximal amount set at Rp 7.5 billion, or Rp 2.5 billion more than the previous amount of Rp 5 billion. However, parties are not allowed to receive money from individuals.

Each party is also required to form an internal council to settle internal disputes, while taking an internal issue to court is to be a last resort.

With the support of all factions obtained, lawmakers will forward the draft to the next legislative session for approval. (gzl)