Ad appeals for calm in campaign<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): The Brawijaya regional military commander, Maj.
\nGen. Imam Utomo, has made a public appeal for security, stability
\nand unity through a newspaper advertisement.<\/p>\n
But his quarter-page advertisement in several East Java
\nnewspapers from May 7 to May 9 has been met by criticism and
\nprotests.<\/p>\n
The advertisement contained an eight-point appeal for national
\nunity and a declaration that the campaign was not a forum for
\nslander or division.<\/p>\n
Point seven of the appeal was the most controversial. It said,
\n\"... people should not choose brutal political parties.\"<\/p>\n
United Development Party (PPP) officials immediately lashed
\nout over the advertisement, which led with Utomo's photo, saying
\nit was a hidden campaign for Golkar.<\/p>\n
Utomo defended his advertisement yesterday by saying it had
\nbeen misinterpreted and that people were in a fuss about nothing.<\/p>\n
\"I had no intention of doing that (campaigning). My
\nresponsibility is the safe and secure running of the election.
\nThat's all,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"All I wanted to do is make sure that everything runs
\nsmoothly, it wasn't meant to say that anybody had acted brutally.
\nIf anyone feels or reacts towards it then it means they probably
\nfeel that they are a brutal lot,\" he was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
Mudrick M. Sangidoe, head of PPP's branch in Surakarta,
\nCentral Java, has openly chided Utomo's advertisement.<\/p>\n
\"The military commander is functioning as a covert campaigner.
\nAs our security chief he shouldn't be doing this,\" Mudrick said
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
Political observer Ramlan Surbakty at the Airlangga University
\ndefended Utomo. \"The advertisement shows that he is functioning
\nas the man in charge of security during campaign and election,\"
\nhe said. \"Only the point seven that shows (the hidden agenda).\"<\/p>\n
East Java residents have their own interpretation of the
\nadvertisement. Benny, a teacher, said he planned not to vote
\nbecause \"we're told not to vote for brutal parties. I think all
\nof the contestants are brutal.\" (26\/mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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