Regional Elections 'Waste of Time and Money,' Says Expert  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An expert of politics, law, and inter-institutional relationship at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Reydonnyzar Moenek, said that direct regional elections cost money and time. He said it would be more effective if regional leaders were elected by the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD).

“Based on the data collected by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the cost percentage of [conducting such elections] at the provincial and regency level ranges from 0.5 to 5 percent of the total Regional Budget (APBD),” said Donny—or Reydonnyzar—when he opened the regency leaders meeting in Jakarta on Thursday, December 19, 2013.

According to Donny, if the fund is directed to infrastructure development, it will be more beneficial for the people. The amount of time wasted in conducting such elections in more than one round, especially in case of reelections, “will potentially cause people to be apathetic towards politics,” said Donny.

The cost to conduct regional elections is significantly high. At least the following must be financed: transactional politics, political parties and campaign teams, witnesses' compensation at ballot locations, and election closing cost. “Therefore, many regional leaders are trapped by political capital,” he said.

This is the main reason why the Ministry of Home Affairs is proposing the regional election to be conducted by the DPRD. “It is controversial and considered as a form of democracy degradation,” he said. However, staying true to the fourth principle of the Five Guiding Principles (Pancasila), it is still relevant.

TIKA PRIMANDARI