ICW : DISCLOSURE OF CANDIDATES' WEALTH NOT TO INFLUENCE VOTERS MUCH

Jakarta, May 26 (ANTARA) - An Indonesia Corruption Watch ICW) official said here on Monday the disclosure of the wealth of presidential candidates would have little effect on their electability.

"The disclosure of the wealth of the candidates will have very little effect on voters' preferences," ICW deputy coordinator Adnan Topan Husodo said to ANTARA here on Monday.

He said this was so because most voters in Indonesia were traditional voters who did not care much about such things as accountability and transparency which were closely associated with the publication of reports on the wealth of both presidential and vice presidential candidates.

He said the political preference of voters in the country was still based on their perception of the candidares' personalities. . He said money politics also remained a potential determining factor in a voter's choice.

Adnan however said that publication of candidates' wealth reports was important to promote transparancy and accountability as well as the potential to commit corruption.

"The announcement and public access to the reports will promote these values," he said.

Indonesian presidential and vice presidential candidates to compete in the election on April 8 have been requested to submit their wealth reports to the General Elections Commission (KPU) which were later unveiled to the public.