Indonesian govt seeks to end political dynasties

Jakarta mulls banning governors, district heads and mayors from being directly succeeded by their spouse or children.

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is considering banning governors, district heads and mayors from being directly succeeded by their spouse or children.

“Such cases are rife in regional elections and creates the impression that it will create political dynasties,” Minister of Home Affairs Gamawan Fauzi said.

The minister added that several people asked the government to ban the practice in the future by amending the Law on Regional Elections.

“Later we will discuss this proposal together with the DPR [House of Representatives]. If the DPR agrees then the ban will be imposed,” he told the Jakarta Globe .

Internally, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has banned the spouses of its members who hold public office from running in the legislative elections across the country — a first for Indonesian politics.

Luthfi Hasan Ishaaq, president of the party, said the move is intended to prevent conflicts of interest and political dynasties, adding that the ban applies to the spouses of ministers, governors, district heads, mayors and lawmakers.

“If the husband is already nominated as a lawmaker, the wife cannot be nominated too,” Luthfi said.

Golkar Party politician Hajriyanto Tohari, deputy chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), hailed the PKS move to ban spouses of public office holders from running in the legislative and regional head elections, saying that it was a strategic measure. But he didn’t say if Golkar would follow suit.

Resistance to the ban would likely come from the United Development Party (PPP).

“The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that every citizen has the right to hold public office, to vote and be elected,” PPP secretary general Muhammad Romahurmuziy said.

- Agencies