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Democrat Party's image continues to deteriorate |
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Indonesia
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Member of the Board of Trustees of the Democrat Party, Hayono Isman, admits his party is now facing a dilemma. He is concerned about his party’s electability factor taking a direct nosedive by 2014. "This is quite an ordeal, a decline in the electability level down to 10.3 percent," he said when contacted by Tempo, Sunday, July 22, 2012. "I hope it won’t fall even further."
Surveys by several agencies show the party's image continues to deteriorate in recent months compared to other parties. The reason is several of its cadres are linked to corruption and are being interrogated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). In the latest example, Hartati Murdaya, a seasoned Democrat Party politician has been dragged into the bribery case involving Buol Regent Amran Batalipu, in connection with the issuance of an oil palm land permit.
Hayono underlines that the Democrats are committed to putting an end to this tragedy by supporting KPK in uncovering the cases involving its cadres. The Democrats have also taken action against those named as suspects. "Angelina Sondakh has been named a suspect. The Chair has also been checked twice. That's proof that we encourage KPK to resolve the cases without political intervention, "he said.
Syariefuddin Hasan, member of the Board of Trustees, acknowledges that the many cases plaguing party cadres result in the declining electability of the party. In fact, he said, one of the impacts is the failure of a member of the Board of Trustees, Fauzi Bowo, to win the Governor of DKI Jakarta election in a single round.
Therefore, Syariefuddin stresses that the Democrats continue to make internal improvements, but still give priority to the principle of presumption of innocence. "That’s why, we continue to consolidate," the said Minister of Cooperatives and Small-Medium Enterprises was Sunday, July 22, 2012.
Secretary of the Supervision Commission Suaidi Marasabessy says the party will not take any action related to its cadres who are involved in corruption cases. Political actions will be taken only after legal proceedings have been conducted by KPK. "We’re leaving everything to the KPK," he said. The Democrats are asking KPK to immediately resolve the cases against its cadres.
Senior researcher at the Indonesian Survey Institute, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, considers the punishment against the Democrats feels heavy because people see anomalies in the party. According to him, the oft-repeated slogan "Say No to Corruption" in the 2009 election campaign seems to be backfiring. "Ironically, the Democrats don’t seem to be taking any actions against its cadres who are involved in corruption," he said.
By Aryani Kristanti, Febriyan, Sukma
Tempo Interactive
25 July 2012
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