Independent Candidates Can Become Aceh Regional Leaders
Friday, 21 April, 2006 | 16:23 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The government and the House of Representatives (DPR) agree to allow independent candidates to join the regional leaders’ election.

“But just this once,” said Nurlif Effendi, Golkar Party faction spokesperson, in the discussion of Aceh Government Bill at the parliament complex, Jakarta, yesterday (20/4).

All factions, except the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), agree with the clause.

According to Nurlif, this opportunity has been given bearing in mind Aceh has been so isolated politically that it cannot participate.

“Some parts of the society that have newly joined the Acehnese must be given a chance,” he said.

Nurlif went on to say political parties are rather difficult to start with a direct mechanism to provide space for them to become political party's officials.
“So, the most possible way is through independent candidates,” he said.

Further, according to Ahmad Farhan Hamid, a National Awakening Party (PAN) politician, the decision whether or not the independent candidates join the regional leaders’ election, is in the hands of Aceh political policies via the Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD).

“Because, if this is to be decided by the special committee, and it doesn't go well, there must be one more special committee to cancel the clause,” said Ahmad.

The government, represented by Home Affairs Minister, Muhammad Ma'ruf and the State Minister for Information and Communication, Sofyan Djalil, also agreed with it.

“The government supports it with minimal requirements to be discussed later,” he said.

Yophiandi and Imron Rosyid