PSI: Former Convicts Becoming DPD Member Candidates Can Hinder Good People

ILLUSTRATION/DOC VOI

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) said that ex-convicts becoming candidates for the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) could prevent good people from entering the government system.

"The DPD (is) one of the important policy-making elements in this country. The requirements for nomination must be the same as the DPR and DPRD. If ex-convicts can immediately become DPD candidates, this will prevent good people from entering the system," said the Head of the PSI DPP Field Law and Human Rights Ariyo Bimmo in a written statement, as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, January 23.

There are two reasons underlying PSI's stance. First, the interest in the 2024 DPD seats is very low, even the lowest since the first direct elections in 2004.

"To get a DPD seat, the effort is very high, you have to reach a larger number of voters. This is an opportunity, especially for former corruptors to re-enter. We suspect that there is still a lot of money from corruption lying around waiting to be used again," said Bimmo.

PSI then linked this to the trend of low sentences for corruptors and a minimal return on state wealth.

The second reason is the risk of repeat crimes, especially for former corruption convicts.

"General elections are still fraught with risks of money politics and other electoral corruption. Apart from that, the position of DPD is still closely intertwined with the formation of laws and the determination of the budget. It is very risky," said Bimmo.

The solution to this legal problem is the harmonization of election rules, the revision of the Corruption Law, and the passage of the Asset Confiscation Bill.