PKB Opposed To Dynasty Politic

Jakarta, Oct 14 (Antara) - The Nation Awakening Party (PKB) is against the playing out of dynasty politics in the country as that would hamper political regeneration, said Marwan Jafar, the chairman of the party`s faction in the parliament. "Dynasty politics is not good at all for (political) regeneration and democratic rejuvenation," he told Antara here on Monday. Such a practice would deny citizens the opportunity of contributing to the political scene in the country, he said. The party`s national leaders must rise from the ranks, he said, adding that dynasty politics must not play a role in the selection of leaders. "PKB strongly rejects it (dynasty politics)," he said. He said such a system could lead to the creation of political oligarchies, which would be detrimental to rejuvenation efforts and promotion of political leaders. Although all citizens have a right to take part in politics, political dynasties go against political ethics, said Marwan. "The issue is about political ethics. How can a family control all? This is not good," he said. Dynasty politics would wreck plans of bureaucratic reform to create a clean, accountable, professional, and credible system, he stated. "We have all been encouraging bureaucratic reform and dynasty politics would badly affect bureaucratic accountability," he added. The general chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Hatta Rajasa, also recently expressed his opposition to political dynasties. During the launch of his book in Depok, near Jakarta, on Saturday, he said, the rise of dynasty politics could undermine the development of democracy in Indonesia. "Dynasty politics is a practice by public officials, such as regional heads, who appoint their family members or relatives to public service positions," said Hatta, who is also the Chief Economic Minister. For example, if a governor or a district head uses his influence to ensure his wife or sons get appointed to his office after him, he is participating in dynasty politics, said Hatta. In practice, it is legal for the head of a regional government to nominate a member of his family to his post, as long as the family member is eligible for the post and is elected by the people, he said. If the nominee is unqualified and wins through unfair methods, it will undermine the nation`s democracy, Hatta warned. While it is not illegal for a regional head to nominate members of his family, other people who are more capable must be given a chance, he said. "In democratic politics, elections must be democratic and give an equal chance to better (qualified) persons," he added. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently warned government officials, especially in the regions, and the community to avoid situations that would result in a monopoly or concentration of power, which may be accompanied with economic interests, as this would have a bad effect. "I have communicated with the Minister of Home Affairs with regard to a number of cases in regions involving officials who are found to be related," he said at a press conference at the Merdeka Palace on Friday. "Although the Constitution and the laws do not ban anyone - be they a mother, a father, a son, or a brother (of a politician) - from taking any government position, I think there must be suitableness," he said. "It will be dangerous if their political powers are linked with business interests. Temptation is big in that (case). In the current era of decentralization and autonomy, regional powers are very influential and therefore, care must be taken to prevent misuse of power," he said. In view of this, President Yudhoyono has asked the people to help build a good state life. "If everything is done well and appropriately, God willing, good things will come. People must be more active to help realize this," he said. The issue of dynasty politics emerged after the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named Tubagus Chaeri Wardana a suspect in connection with a bribery case involving Constitutional Court Chief Judge Akil Mochtar. The case was linked to a dispute over the results of the election of Banten`s Lebak district head. In connection with the case, the KPK has also banned Banten provincial governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah from travelling abroad for questioning as a witness. Tubagus is the younger brother of Ratu Atut. It has also been reported that several members of Ratu Atut`s family are currently holding government posts in the province.