Labor Groups to File Against Regional Elections Law

Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- The Indonesian Labor Union Confederation (KSPSI) and the Confederation of Indonesian Workers' Welfare Union (KSBSI) will file a lawsuit against the regional elections law, which implements indirect elections, in the constitutional court on Monday.

"We will file a lawsuit against the regional elections law in the constitutional court on Monday (October 6) as it denies people of their rights," President of KSPSI Andi Gani Nena Wea said here on Thursday.

Wea noted that implementing the system of indirect regional elections through the Regional Legislative Assembly (DPRD) would retract people's sovereignty.

He also mentioned the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, where people were demanding the right to direct elections from the Chinese socialist government. He compared the situations in Hong Kong and Indonesia, stating that implementing the regional elections law would be taking a step back from being a democratic country.

The KSPSI president further explained that there was no guarantee that regional elections through the DPRD would be free from money politics and abuse of the regional budget.

Furthermore, he hopes for either the legislature or the executives to stand against adopting the law, but instead, rid the system of direct regional elections of any deficiencies they find.

Similarly, the President of KSBSI Mudhofir reiterated that the labor union wishes for improvements in the system of direct regional elections, instead of it being replaced by elections through the DPRD.

"We will surely gather as much power as we can to oppose this anti-democratic act," he remarked.

Both KSPSI and KSBSI concur that regional heads elected by the DPRD will not possess any sense of responsibility towards the people, but will only cater to the interests of those who support them. (WDY)