Jakarta – Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) says all nine political parties that receive state funding have failed the tests of openness and transparency required by law, with the ruling Democratic Party rated among the worst.

All political parties represented in the House of Representatives received government financial support on the basis of their share of votes in the 2009 election.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party (PD) received the largest share with Rp 2.34 billion (US$260,000) in 2010, while second-placed Golkar received Rp 1.62 billion, while the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) was in third place with Rp 1.57 billion. The 2008 Political Parties Law requires political parties to submit reports that account for every cent of the state's money to the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK).

"Generally speaking, their financial reports were all poor," Apung Widadi,said on Wednesday.

ICW put in a request with all nine parties for access to their 2010 finances in June, and every single one of them failed to comply. After invoking the 2008 Access to Public Information Law, the parties eventually sent their reports.

ICW placed PD along with PDI-P, PAN and Hanura as among the worst in responding to its request and in the way they presented their reports.

Apung said all the parties except Gerindra sent two-page reports answering the ICW's questions rather than submitting the full financial reports. "We appreciate Gerindra for giving us the most complete report, including their invoices," he said.

Gerindra is the smallest of the nine parties with representatives in the House. Besides the big three of PD, Golkar and the PDI-P, the other parties represented in the House are the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party (PPP) and the People's Conscience Party (Hanura).(aml/dic)