Golkar cannot make people vote: Habibie<\/p>\n
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Golkar cannot stop people
\nabstaining from voting although it strongly disapproves of it,
\nGolkar functionary B.J. Habibie said here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The state minister of research and technology frowned before
\nadmitting that everybody had the right to choose Golput (not to
\nvote).<\/p>\n
"Don't think that Golkar will bother them. That's your right,"
\nHabibie said in response to a question from the 1000-strong
\naudience at a Golkar rally.<\/p>\n
A recent survey at Hassanudin University concluded that over
\n30 percent of the university's 23,000 students would not vote in
\nthe May 29 election.<\/p>\n
Habibie lamented the survey's results. "If the results are
\nlike that then I am ashamed.<\/p>\n
"Still, Golkar's leadership won't obstruct you from choosing
\nGolput, Golkar or any other (party) because that's your right,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Habibie then attacked the abstainers for being irresponsible
\nand politically immature. He said that deliberate non-voters did
\nnot realize their rights and responsibilities.<\/p>\n
"While it's true that you cannot be forced to vote, don't
\nforget your responsibility to ensure the continuation of
\ndevelopment," he said.<\/p>\n
Parade<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Golkar campaigning
\ncaused a five-kilometer spontaneous parade which caused traffic
\njams for hours.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that more than 10,000 vehicles carrying about
\n30,000 Golkar supporters poured onto Banjarmasin's streets.<\/p>\n
The procession formed as the crowd left a rally, which had
\nfeatured Wardiman Djojonegoro as the main speaker. There were no
\nmajor incidents.<\/p>\n
In his speech, Wardiman lashed back at people who had
\narbitrarily called the bureaucracy corrupt.<\/p>\n
"If all bureaucrats were corrupt how could this country have
\ndeveloped. It would be in ruins by now," said Wardiman, the
\nminister of education and culture.<\/p>\n
He said people should not generalize about the bureaucracy
\nbecause corruption also existed in the private sector.
\n"Corruption in the private sector is pretty big, but it isn't
\nreally exposed," he said.<\/p>\n
In Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Mar'ie Muhammad added a
\nplacating tone to a rally by calling on people to pray often for
\ndomestic security and peace.<\/p>\n
"We must pray and beg for forgiveness more often and ask that
\nour nation always be safe," he said.<\/p>\n
Mar'ie only spoke for 10 minutes so the singers Nia Daniaty
\nand Cucu Tjahyani had more time to entertain the 10,000-strong
\ncrowd.<\/p>\n
In last night's televised Golkar monologue, Golkar deputy
\nchairman Abdul Gafur defended his party's development policies.<\/p>\n
"It is true there are still economic disparities, but this
\ndoesn't mean the direction of our development is wrong," he said.<\/p>\n
In a yellow suit, Gafur stressed Golkar's focus on the
\ncountry's future by saying that it wanted to augment the
\neducation budget.<\/p>\n
Golkar had emphasized the importance of the younger generation
\nwhich was proved by 25 percent of its legislature candidates
\nbeing from this generation, he said.<\/p>\n
He then reaffirmed Golkar's commitment to continue supporting
\nthe Armed Forces' dual role in politics and security. (30\/31\/mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-cannot-make-people-vote-habibie-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}