M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta – Despite praise from the international community, the April 5 legislative election is unlikely to bring about significant political and social changes, a seminar concluded.
Komarudin Hidayat of Paramadina Mulya University in Jakarta said both the General Elections Commission (KPU) and the political parties that contested the polls failed to break with the political traditions inherited from the New Order regime.
"The KPU, which devoted much of its energy to procedural issues, overlooked widespread violations of substantial election regulations, such as the use of fake diplomas and money politics by legislative candidates. On the other hand, political parties were unable to stop such practices, if not actually instigating them," Komaruddin said at a seminar organized to commemorate the 21st anniversary of The Jakarta Post here.
He lamented the fact that corruption, which he said was deeply rooted in the country's institutions, including the KPU and political parties, had compromised the election outcome.
"It is a sad to see the decay of the social system has shifted to the political system," he said.
Indonesia won plaudits from the international community for its legislative election, which was called fair and transparent despite some logistical shortcomings.
The results of the election, however, have been greeted by some pessimism, with political parties not known for their commitment to reform maintaining a grip on power.
Golkar Party, which was the political machine of Soeharto, is assured of victory in the polls with 21.18 percent of the vote, followed by President Megawati Soekarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) with 19.40 percent.
A political expert from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Mochtar Pabottingi, said the political structure left by the New Order regime remained intact and had gained new strength in these elections.
"The regime that plundered the country is still in control of the country regardless of any political processes that has been underway," Mochtar said.
He said the legislative election would produce lawmakers resistant to change, much like the current legislators who were elected in 1999.
However, he expressed optimism the public would challenge this drifting away from democracy.
"The public is aware now more than ever that they want changes. Recently, we witnessed a growing movement to oppose money politics during the elections, a campaign against crooked politicians and other people demanding a greater say in the political process," he said.
Despite the challenges, Mochtar said democracy was the most suitable political arrangement for the country, as it provided checks and balances among state institutions.
A political observer at Airlangga University in Surabaya, Daniel Sparinga, said the recent legislative election would not provide a boost to reform.
"The true winners of the election hailed from the conservative and nationalist camps, who are moderate in the transition toward democracy," Daniel said.