Jakarta, Sutoyo NK – The Director General of Socio Politics of the Department of Home Affairs Sutoyo NK justified government's intention to invite foreign observers from a number of neighbouring countries to witness the General Elections process in Indonesia. But their presence was not for investigating.

"There is the perception that those who are invited, you (reporters) translate as observers with the connotation to investigate, however they are no observers for investigating," said Sutoyo Friday (14.3) in Jakarta.

According to Sutoyo, these foreign observers are actually the same as what is performed by other countries. For instance, when Malaysia or Singapore performed general elections, there were Indonesian obervers invited. "And we didn't investigate. but only observed," he disclosed.

Sutoyo who is also the Chairman of the Central Investigation Committee (Panlitpus) said that the presence of the foreign observers has to be seen from the spirit, namely the spirit of the Indonesian government in order that other countries can know how the Indonesian government organizes general elections. "So what is important here is our spirit as a nation which arranges general elections witnessed by other countries," Sutoyo added.

Sutoyo has no objections if foreign observers also view campaigns, even witness the election process, provided that it is no investigation. Because that could be interpreted as intervention of another country's problems. "You (reporters) as citizens are certainly not willing if other people are investigating our country," he said.

When asked which observers of other countries would be invited, Sutoyo admitted not to have made a complete inventory yet. According to him the possibility of neighbouring countries, but it was not mentioned whether it is from Malaysia or other ASEAN countries. "Yes, near neighbours," he said.

Asked whether there would be nonformal observers from other countries, Sutoyo replied that official observers were invited, appointed by the government of the related country. "If they intend to see general elections in Indonesia, it can be just as tourists. But we will not entertain such matters," said Sutoyo while adding that the exact time for foreign observers in Indonesia was when the voting was implemented, because the most important thing in general elections is the taking of votes.

He was not concerned that the foreign observers would broadcast the weaknesses of the General Elections in Indonesia abroad. "Please go ahead. We invite them as observers, not as observers who have the capacity to investigate, evaluate, or others. We have to evaluate, not the foreigners," he clarified.

Towards foreign observers, according to Sutoyo, it is the Indonesian government herself which would decide at which points they would be placed, they may not choose. But he reminded that this also depended on the facilities. Because it was impossible that foreign observers would be placed at every TPS (place of the poll) which amounted to 300,000.

Sutoyo is also not concerned that the foreign observers would become a place for complaints for those who were not satisfied with the arrangement of the general elections. "Just see, no need to be afraid," he said.

Is the KIPP (Independent Committee to Monitor the General Elections) also invited as observers? reporters asked. Sutoyo said that the task to supervise the General Elections was given to the Panwaslak (Implementation Supervising Committee). "They are Indonesian citizens, why ask to be invited?" said Sutoyo. He reminded that every Indonesian citizen could give imput about the General Election process through the existing mechanism. But interfering in the authority of the General Election implementing apparature was not allowed. If it is for imput, please," he said.

Welcome

Meanwhile the Chairman of the Central Board of the United Development Party (PPP) Yudo Paripurno said that the PPP welcomed the idea to invite foreign observers to witness the general elections in Indonesia. "Good in the sense that they can see Indonesian democracy in practice," said Yudo when contacted by Kompas.

He proposed their presence in all stages (12). He did not see that their presence would increase or decrease the votes for PPP but that their presence would create general elections with quality. He had also no objections if the foreign observers were from ASEAN neighbouring countries, because of course we would first invite the nearest.

The Secretary General of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Buttu R Hutapea had also the same opinion that the presence of foreign observers was no problem as it would give a good image of our country. The problem was only that not all the 300,000 TPS could be reached so that what was monitored would not represent. (*)