Even posters may trigger violence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The placing of posters may provoke physical
\nclashes between rival activists campaigning in the May election
\nif it is not properly regulated, Attorney General Singgih warned
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Political organizations contesting the May 29 election would
\nbe allocated separate zones to place their posters, Singgih told
\na meeting of Armed Forces members at the defense ministry office.<\/p>\n
\"We should be thinking of a rule on the placement of party
\nposters, banners and symbols,\" Singgih said. \"We cannot rule out
\nphysical clashes in this year's election.\"<\/p>\n
The United Development Party, Golkar and the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party will officially begin electioneering on April 27
\nthrough to May 23.<\/p>\n
To minimize the likelihood of street brawls among activists,
\ncommon in the past, the government has banned street rallies.
\nCampaigning will mostly take the form of indoor and media debates
\non parties' programs.<\/p>\n
Singgih said he imagined if poster placing was not regulated,
\nrival activists could easily exchange words and begin hurling
\nrocks at each other.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, each contestant should be given a different place
\nand date to put up their posters in public places,\" he said in
\nthe meeting, chaired by Vice President Try Sutrisno.<\/p>\n
Also attending the coordination meeting were Minister of
\nDefense and Security Edi Sudradjat, State Minister of
\nAdministrative Reforms T.B. Silalahi, State Minister\/Cabinet
\nSecretary Saadillah Mursjid and senior military officials.<\/p>\n
The government established the zoning system for election
\ncampaigning to prevent the likelihood of the supporters of
\ndifferent political parties running into each other.<\/p>\n
Six campaigning regions have been established. Each of the
\ncontesting political groupings will campaign in two regions a
\nday.<\/p>\n
The three political organizations will vie for 425 seats in
\nthe 500-member House of Representatives. The remaining 75 seats
\nare reserved for members of the Armed Forces, who do not vote in
\nthe election.<\/p>\n
Golkar, with the strong support of the Armed Forces, the
\nbureaucracy and business, is widely expected to win another
\nlandslide victory.<\/p>\n
Singgih called on the Armed Forces to do its best to secure
\nthe month-long campaigns.<\/p>\n
Electoral laws say only policemen are authorized to arrest and
\ntake proper action against violators.<\/p>\n
Singgih also suggested officials in charge of the general
\nelection set clear-cut guidelines on what constituted a rally and
\nwhat must be banned. (imn)<\/p>",
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