TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta – The Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor), a youth wing of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, has expressed disappointment at the ratification of the regional election bill despite strong rejection against the bill across the country.

“The passing of the bill is like seeing the reincarnation of Soeharto with his New Order regime,” said the head of GP Ansor of Yogyakarta branch, Ambar Anto, on Friday.

He said the reform that has been established since the downfall of the New Order in 1998 has now been shattered at a time when the people have learned and upheld democratic values through direct elections.

“When we are rising, those rights and democratic learning processes will be destroyed by a handful of people who present their coalition in the parliament,” said Ambar.

Since the beginning, GP Ansor Yogyakarta has firmly opposed the bill as it curbs the right to vote and gives rise to transactional practices. The bill is also seen as hampering competent candidates from being elected.

Ambar predicted that elections through DPRD would exacerbate corruption, collusion and nepotism. He further said that GP Ansor would take to the street to demand immediate amendment to the law.

“The people must reclaim their political right to vote for regional heads.”

PRIBADI WICAKSONO