Councillors criticizes for sequestration<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>\n
An activist of a civil rights non-governmental organization (NGO)
\ncondemned on Monday the Deli Serdang regental council's move to
\nsequester 45 councillors at the Grand Angkasa Hotel in Medan, the
\ncapital of North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
The councillors have been sequestered in the hotel since
\nMonday, three days before they elect a Deli Serdang regent and
\ndeputy regent scheduled on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"The sequestration wastes the public's money,\" said Edi
\nRianto, executive director of the People Mandate Forum in North
\nSumatra.<\/p>\n
\"Past experience has taught us that money politics still
\noccurs across the country, even though sequestration was
\nimposed,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added that, by isolating the councillors, it would be even
\neasier to bribe them.<\/p>\n
Separately, Deli Serdang Council deputy chairman Hasaiddin
\nDaulay said the local administration had to spend about Rp 54
\nmillion (US$63,53) on accommodation and meals for the
\ncouncillors.<\/p>\n
Although the cost was dear, he said, the councillors had to be
\nsequestered to prevent money politics and to ensure an honest and
\nfair election.<\/p>\n
He defended the practice, saying that under sequestration,
\nCouncil leaders and the public could watch over the councillors
\nand quickly detect any fishy deals.<\/p>\n
\"If bribery or money politics still happens despite our
\nefforts to prevent it ... then it is out of our hands. It really
\ndepends on the conscience of the councillors,\" said Hasaiddin.<\/p>\n
The Deli Serdang Council endorsed last week two pairs of
\ncandidates to contest the regental election: incumbent regent
\nAbdul Hafidh and running mate Edi Rangkuti, secretary of the
\nNorth Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan); and Amri Tambunan, head of the North
\nSumatra Information and Communication Office, and running mate
\nYusuf Sembiring, a businessman.<\/p>\n
The first pair was nominated by the PDI Perjuangan faction and
\nthe second was nominated by the Golkar Party and Reform factions.<\/p>",
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