KPU has taken the groundbreaking move of banning former corruption convicts from contesting next year’s legislative election. The ban is stipulated in KPU Regulation on legislative candidates, which is important, as the candidate selection process for next year’s legislative election began on July 1.
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ANTARA FOTO/SEPTIANDA PERDANA
Workers prepare electoral ballot boxes to be distributed at the North Sumatra General Elections Commission (KPU North Sumatra) logistics warehouse in Medan, North Sumatra, Friday (22/6/2018). KPU North Sumatra distributed ballots to 33 regencies and cities in North Sumatra province for the regional elections, which were held simultaneously on June 27.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) has taken the groundbreaking move of banning former corruption convicts from contesting next year’s legislative election.
The ban is stipulated in KPU Regulation (PKPU) No. 20/2018 on legislative candidates, which is important, as the candidate selection process for next year’s legislative election began on July 1. Other than former corruption convicts, the regulation also bans former drug dealers and child sex abusers from running in the election.
The Law and Human Rights Minister has refused to pass the regulation into law, as he disagrees with it. This is unfortunate. His reasoning is that banning former corruption convicts from running in the election violates the law.
We believe that the minister should pass the regulation into law. If a petition for judicial review is then filed against the law, just let the KPU handle it.
ANTARA FOTO/RIVAN AWAL LINGGA
General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Arief Budiman (center), accompanied by KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan (right) and Ilham Saputra (left), gives a press statement related to the 2018 regional elections at the KPU Central Building, Jakarta, Friday (29/6/2018).
This tug-of-war between the KPU and the ministry had no end in sight, until the KPU finally took the initiative in issuing PKPU No. 20/2018. The PKPU includes a clause stipulating that it does not need to be passed into law by the Law and Human Rights Ministry. As such, the breakthrough move may be legally fragile, and a judicial review challenging it may be filed with the Supreme Court (MA). Despite the risks, however, we fully support the spirit behind issuing the PKPU.
With regard to ethics and propriety, it is highly improper that the House of Representatives has members who are former corruption convicts. Regulations, instead of voters, must prevent former corruption convicts from becoming lawmakers.
The regional elections have shown that the electorate is still voting for candidates who have been detained by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Such an anomie requires regulations to ensure that our legislative candidates are not “delinquent” people.
The KPU has made its move in an effort to prevent former corruption convicts from becoming lawmakers. We have to appreciate this. Those former corruption convicts may file a judicial review challenging it if they wish to run in the legislative election, as they have the right to do so. We should respect former corruption convicts if they move to file a judicial review with the MA; let the MA handle it.
ANTARA FOTO/RAISAN AL FARISI
Officers bring ballots to be distributed at GOR STT Mandala, Bandung, West Java, Thursday (21/6/2018). The General Elections Commission (KPU) of Bandung City distributed 1.7 million ballots for the West Java gubernatorial elections and 1.7 million ballots for the Bandung mayor election to 4,419 polling stations in Bandung.
Corruption is the nation’s sworn enemy. We have to be serious in eradicating it. Corrupt acts have violated the economic, social and cultural rights of so many people. The government may have a sound argument in saying that the right to be elected is a human right, even for former corruption convicts.
However, on the other hand, people who have engaged in corrupt behavior have violated others’ rights. The nation’s elites need to be bold in banning former corruption convicts from becoming legislative candidates. As it turns out, it is the KPU that possesses this courage. We need to support its move, despite the legal risks.
Let the public see who is committed to eradicating corruption and who is merely pretending at it while secretly supporting corruptors.
