TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, the deputy head of the House's Commission II from the PKB faction, stated that his party agreed on the suggestions to evaluate direct regional head elections. However, PKB only supported a system improvement, as opposed to a system change.

“Direct elections must indeed be evaluated, but only to improve the system,” said Yaqut in a text message, Friday, November 8.

Golkar Party DPP chairman Ace Hasan Syadzily seconded Yaqut’s statement. He said his party remained consistent and prefered regional heads to be elected directly by the people.

"Through direct elections, the voice of the people can be manifested directly," Ace added.

The Golkar politician deemed it would be a setback of democracy should the Ministry of Home Affairs evaluate the direct elections by returning the selection of regional heads to Regional Legislative Councils (DPRD).

"That was an old debate. The Golkar Party is still consistently supporting direct regional head elections," Ace remarked.

The suggestions to evaluate the direct elections were conveyed by Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian during a meeting with Commission II at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, two days ago.

According to Tito, such a political system that has been running for 20 years called for an evaluation for its negative impacts, including its high costs and potentials of causing regional heads to commit corruption to replace the money they spent on election campaigns.

DEWI NURITA