Election campaign won't be used to bully: Harmoko<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Ruling political group Golkar had promised not
\nto turn the upcoming election campaign into an arena to bully
\nother contestants.<\/p>\n
Chairman Harmoko appealed to all Golkar cadres to promote a
\ncool and serene atmosphere during the official campaign period
\nbetween April 27 and May 23, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
"During the campaign, we must not bully the other parties," he
\nsaid during a meeting with Golkar leaders and members in Tanjung,
\na village in Subang, West Java.<\/p>\n
"On the contrary, Golkar cadres must develop a cool and serene
\nclimate, and show praiseworthy behavior," he said, adding that
\nGolkar must avoid stirring people's emotions.<\/p>\n
The government, which organizes general elections, has taken
\nsteps to minimize the likelihood of violence and clashes between
\nsupporters of the three groups contesting the May 29 general
\nelection.<\/p>\n
In a series of decrees, it has banned mass outdoor rallies and
\nmotorcades, and has encouraged contestants to organize political
\ndiscussions with supporters instead. State-run TVRI is being made
\navailable to all three groups -- all assured of equal time -- to
\nair their political messages nationwide. But campaign material
\nmust first be approved by the election authorities.<\/p>\n
The two minority parties contesting the elections -- the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) -- have complained that the campaign rules are too
\nrestrictive to enable them to get their messages across.<\/p>\n
With the law banning contestants from campaigning on
\nideological lines, the two minority parties have been left with
\nlittle choice but to pick on the government's failures.<\/p>\n
Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has said the
\nelection contestants are welcome to criticize the government's
\nrecord during the campaign period.<\/p>\n
Golkar, which has won all five elections held under the New
\nOrder administration of President Soeharto, is expected to defend
\nthe government's record and successes as it has in the past.<\/p>\n
Harmoko, who is also minister of information, said Golkar
\nwould not turn the campaign period into a show of force.<\/p>\n
Every Golkar campaign speaker must promote dialog and give
\nforward-looking perspectives, he said.<\/p>\n
They should explain Golkar's programs, and then open a
\ndiscussion with would-be voters. They should take note of the
\naspirations that they encounter and report to Golkar, he said.<\/p>\n
Harmoko said Golkar had set a target of 70 percent of the
\ntotal votes, up from the 68 percent it won five years ago.<\/p>\n
"Golkar's tally of votes must increase. If it doesn't, that
\nmeans Golkar has been walking on the same spot," said Harmoko,
\nwho since his election to the Golkar helm three years ago has
\nstomped around the country's 27 provinces to mobilize his cadres.
\n(emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/election-campaign-wont-be-used-to-bully-harmoko-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}