REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has proposed a tenfold increase in the aid funds for political parties.
"We have suggested increasing the funds to an amount 10 to 20 times higher than the current amount. For example, if the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan) receives Rp2 billion at present, it will get Rp20 billion later," he said in his office here on Wednesday.
Kumolo added that the draft proposal had been formulated by a team from the office's Directorate General of National Unity and Politics and has also been submitted to President Joko Widodo through the State Secretariat.
"I heard that Pak (Mr) Jokowi has seen it. So it only awaits a discussion among the lower-level offices. The tenfold hike is the first stage. Later, if the country's economy improves, it may be further raised to 20 times the current amount," he pointed out.
The minister, who is from the PDIP, also stated that the proposal was appropriate and implementable if the government realized its budget priority for infrastructural development.
"A tenfold hike is appropriate. We submitted the proposal to be met when budget for infrastructure, health and education is optimal and there are funds remaining. This is what political parties will be given," Kumolo explained.
He further noted that this funding is only meant for political parties that have members in the House of Representatives (DPR).
"It is only for political parties that have seats in the DPR. Parties like the PKPI will not be given this aid because they do not have representation in the parliament," he remarked.
With this rise in funds, the minister hopes for closer supervision of the performance of parliamentary members and political parties by the public.
Moreover, in case a political party is found misusing the funds from the national budget, Kumolo affirmed that it may be disqualified from participating in the presidential and vice presidential elections, legislative elections and regional elections.
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