Ridwan Max Sijabat, Jakarta – The House passed on Thursday the bill around political parties and freedom of association, pluralism, gender quality and peaceful settlement of internal disputes.
All but 10 factions of the House of Representatives gave no objection to the bill, which was reportedly no harsher than the 2003 law on political parties – particularly with regard to administrative and legal requirements for the establishment of new parties.
The approved bill allows 50 adults to establish a new political party. A new party should have chapters in 60 percent of 33 provinces, branches in 50 percent of more than 480 regencies and municipalities and 25 percent of more than 1,500 subdistricts nationwide.
"This bill facilitates small groups of people, or communities, to set up new political parties to uphold the freedom of association and that of expression, as mandated by the 1945 constitution," Chairman of the special committee reading the bill, Ganjar Pranowo, said in his report to the House's plenary session.
But he said not all parties would be allowed to contest the general elections because the establishment of a simple multi-party system was a preliminary requirement for a strong parliament and government.
The current law on political parties requires them to have chapters in 75 percent of 33 provinces and 50 percent of regencies and municipalities.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said it appreciated the bill because it would encourage more women to develop a career in politics.
"The 30 percent quota is an affirmative action for women's major role and is a prerequisite for gender equality," PDI-P spokesman Idham said.
"Thanks to the political reality that a majority of voters are female. This brings a consequence that parties ignoring the ruling will not be registered with the government and receive no financial assistance from the state," he said.
Spokesman for the National Awakening Party (PKB) Ida Faudjiah said her party supported the bill and hoped more women living in remote areas would become involved in politics and develop their career in state institutions. Lukman Hakiem, spokesman for the United Development Party (PPP), said the democratic process during the bill's deliberation had worked well.
He said major factions had accommodated minority parties' aspirations to use their own ideology and Islamic characteristics.
The bill allows Islamic minority parties to use their current ideology, as long as it is not against the constitution and state ideology Pancasila.
It also encourages parties to settle their internal disputes in a peaceful manner, or to seek an out-of-court settlement through reconciliation, mediation and arbitration.
"Court is the last resort to settle internal disputes," said Ida, whose party has been overwhelmed with a prolonged internal dispute.
The House is still deliberating the bill on legislative elections, but it is expected to be endorsed in January.
Two more political bills – on presidential elections and on the construction of People's Consultative Assembly, House, Regional Representatives, provincial and regental legislatures – are scheduled to be deliberated in February and March next year.