Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo clarified that the governments plan to increase the funding for political parties had nothing to do with the discussion on the draft law on general election.

"The planned increase in funding for political parties from the government was not linked to the discussion on the draft law on general election," Kumolo said here, Thursday.

Some media reports have linked the plan with the discourse on five points in the draft law that has yet to reach an agreement, especially on the presidential threshold in which the government has suggested a 20-25 percent scheme.

The minister reiterated that regardless of whether the parliament will agree to the governments proposal, it has not links to an increase in the funding for parties.

"It has no links. The government is expecting a fair discussion on the draft law, with the hopes that it would strengthen the presidential system," he noted.

The ministry was earlier reported to have proposed an increase in the funding for political parties from Rp108 to Rp1,000 per vote.

According to Kumolo, it is a fair increase after almost a decade of the government not raising its funding for political parties.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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