"If it is allowed by law why should it be debated?"Malang (ANTARA News) - Constitutional court chief justice Mahfud MD said many of the country`s leaders have become addicted to power and, therefore, continually seek public office.
"Because they have been addicted to power, many provincial governors, city mayors and district heads who have been in power for two terms still wish to seek reelection, although by law they are not allowed to," he said during a lecture at Muhammadiyah University here on Saturday.
Because of this addition to power, many have also nominated their wives, children or relatives to preserve their own power, he added.
Therefore, many local leaders have filed complaints to the Constitutional Court with regard to the regulation on local leadership that only allows leaders to be in office for two terms.
Mahfud admitted that these conditions were a result of the impact of the implementation of democracy in Indonesia, which has become too liberal.
In view of that, he suggested reviewing the process of democratization in regions which are still at an experimental level.
Political observers, and also rector of the university, Dr Muhajir Effendi, meanwhile, said that as long as the law allows office holders to pass on power, it would not be a problem.
But if the law clearly rules against them, then it is a matter of morality and ethics, he added.
"If it is allowed by law why should it be debated? I think it is not a problem for regional leaders to nominate their wives, children or relatives to run for their posts after their term has expired, because the law allows it. It is only about morality and ethics. Nominating their wives, children or relatives will be no problem, moreover, if they have capabilities," he said.
One of the local leaders whose term in office is expiring is Malang mayor Peni Suparto, who is encouraging his wife, Heri Puji Utami, to run for mayor for the term 2013-2018.
Heri Puji is now competing for the nomination as the party`s candidate from the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP) with Sri Rahayu, who is a legislator.
(T.E009/H-YH/INE/K-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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