J

AKARTA: Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) lawmaker Eva Kusuma Sundari has suggested that the state’s financial aid for political parties be raised to Rp 2,000 (24 US cents) per vote from Rp 108.

“I agree that the political parties that have legislative seats get more money from the state budget. The increase would be able to cover the parties’ financial expenses to end the so-called ‘budget mafia’ practices at the House of Representatives,” Eva said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Critics have said that brokering in arranging the state budget is still rampant at the House as it is part of political parties’ attempts to collect more money to finance their activities.

Politicians, critics say, believe they are entitled to receive “success fees” should they manage to “help” government institutions get desired amounts of state budget allocations. These kinds of funds, however, have never been openly disclosed by any political parties.

“With Rp 2,000 per vote, political parties would no longer have any reason to refuse any request to open their financial reports. Political parties should also then be subject to state audits. This would be good in promoting transparency and accountability,” Eva said.

Eva’s PDI-P is among nine House parties which have refused Indonesia Corruption Watch’s request to disclose their financial reports to the public.

The NGO has planned to report the political parties to the Central Information Commission.

Based on the 2009 Government Regulation on Financial Aid for Political Parties, House political parties have the right to receive “annual financial assistance” from the state, worth Rp 108 per vote the party gained in the last general elections.