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Watchdogs warn of conflict of interest in KPU bonus boost
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Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) chair Kaesang Pangarep (center), accompanied by Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) chair Ahmad Syaikhu (fourth right), greets reporters during his visit to the PKS’ office in Jakarta on July 8, 2024. Kaesang met with Ahmad to discuss the country's latest political issues and the possibility of building a coalition for November’s regional elections. (Antara/Hasrul Said)
E
lection watchdogs have questioned President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's move to significantly raise bonuses for General Elections Commission (KPU) officials, fearing it will lead to conflicts of interest in November’s simultaneous regional elections.
Speaking at a KPU event on Tuesday, the outgoing President said the compensation boost was to thank the poll body for its hard work in February’s general election, which saw the victory of president and vice-president elect Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the latter being Jokowi’s eldest son.
"All election officials successfully organized the presidential and legislative elections in a safe, smooth and orderly manner. KPU officials even started preparing for the upcoming regional elections before the whole process of the general election was over,” Jokowi said, as reported by Kompas.
He went on to say that even though KPU officials had worked very hard, there had not been any bonus increase for them since the 2014 elections.
"Once I found out about this, I rushed to sign a presidential regulation to increase [KPU officials’] bonuses," Jokowi said.
According to a presidential regulation issued on Monday, KPU officials’ bonuses will increase by 50 percent.
The regulation stated that the officials will receive one-time payments of between Rp 6.6 million (US$427) and Rp 77.6 million ahead of the regional elections, depending on their positions.
