PDIP DPR Member Proposes Legalizing Money Politics In Pilkada, Formappi Alludes To Political Parties That Cause Election Damage

Illustration of Money Poltik (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Researcher of the Indonesian Parliamentary Concerned Community Forum (Formappi), Lucius Karus responded to the proposal of members of Commission II of the DPR RI PDIP faction, Hugua who asked money politics or money politics to be legalized in KPU regulations. Lucius then mentioned that political parties (political parties) are often the cause of damage to the quality of the election.

Lucius initially said that Hugua's proposal regarding legalizing money politics was a form of expression of the council members who were frustrated because these illicit practices often occurred in every election. However, according to him, Commission II of the DPR cannot throw the problem only to the KPU and Bawaslu. But also the DPR through its legislative function to think about strategic steps to overcome money politics. "Because even though there is the authority of the KPU and Bawaslu as election organizers to make technical rules and Bawaslu to oversee its implementation, it is still for wider interests, stronger policy solutions are needed, namely through the law," said Lucius to reporters, Thursday, May 16.

However, Lucius doubts because so far there has never been a solution to overcome politics in every election. Therefore, according to him, preventing is more important than taking action against money politics actors who have always failed to be handled by Bawaslu. "This means that, don't wait before the election, just start thinking about discussing the Election Bill or the Political Party Bill," he said. Formappi assessed, Commission II of the DPR must be open to discussing how to deal with money politics with various circles. Moreover, political parties (politicians) and politicians are the main parties who are the targets of money prevention. "If politicians and political parties can hold back, then the practice of money should be overcome," he said. However, Lucius added, sometimes politicians and political parties do not have other capitals to attract voters. So the only way is money politics. Therefore, he mentioned that political parties are often the source of election damage. "So the DPR should think about how to regulate the political parties of their homes that are the source of election quality damage because of the money politics. Don't expect KPU or Bawaslu to find a way," concluded Lucius. Previously, Member of Commission II of the DPR from the PDI-P Faction, Hugua proposed to the KPU RI to legalize the practice of money politics in the 2024 Pilkada contestation. Provided, there are nominal restrictions regulated. The proposal was conveyed by Hugua during a working meeting (racer) Commission II DPR with the KPU RI, Bawaslu RI, DKPP, and Kemendagri in the Meeting Room of Commission II of the DPR, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 15. "Don't we think that money politics is legalized only in the PKPU with certain restrictions? Because money politics is a necessity, (without, red) politicalities, no one chooses, no one chooses in the community because the atmosphere is different, "said Hugua. According to Hugua, money politics is a natural thing in society. Therefore, he believes that it needs to be legalized with political cost language or with certain amount constraints.

The legislator for the Southeast Sulawesi electoral district said that contestation with money politics had a negative impact. Especially for people who do not have capital. So that he said again, it is better if money politics is legalized by limiting the maximum amount. "So we should just legalize it with certain limits. We legalize a maximum of Rp. 20,000 or Rp. 50,000 or Rp. 1,000,000 or Rp. 5,000,000," concluded Hugua.