TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The General Election Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) were asked not to become a tool of interest for patrimonial groups in the 2018 regional head election. Secretary-General of the Indonesian Forum for Budget Transparency Yenny Sucipto asked both institutions to be professional and neutral.

"Don't let the KPU and Bawaslu become a tool of political interest for patrimonial groups," she said in a written statement, Wednesday, March 7.

Regional Election 2018, Yenny said, undeniably cannot be separated from patrimonial politics or often called a political dynasty. The patrimonial politics should be strictly forbidden because it can make incompetent people have power, she added.

She said the practice once occurred at the Southeast Sulawesi regional election. In the region, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) conducted a sting operation towards Asrun, a candidate for Southeast Sulawesi governor.

According to Yenny, at least 11 of the 45 members of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of Southeast Sulawesi from the 2014 election results were relatives of local officials. In 2015 and 2017 regional election, many elected regional heads in Southeast Sulawesi were relatives of local politicians.

Other regions that have practiced the political dynasty at the regional heads election include South Sumatra, Southeast Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, North Maluku and West Kalimantan, said Yenny. Meanwhile, the district or city level include Serang City, Bojonegoro Regency, and Purwakarta Regency.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI