Golkar plans to go on with Central Java event<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Despite growing calls for postponement of
\nGolkar events due to the fear of disturbances, the party is
\nputting off by only one day the planned visit of its chairman
\nAkbar Tandjung to Central Java.<\/p>\n
Akbar is scheduled to meet party cadres at Sriwedari stadium
\nin Surakarta on Sunday. Party executives said the meeting was
\nrescheduled because Saturday is the Islamic New Year.<\/p>\n
Golkar Surakarta executive Yusuf Hidayat said on Monday
\nAkbar's visit was confirmed for Sunday.<\/p>\n
\"The party will take responsibility and anticipate any
\nundesirable events.\" He said preparations included security for
\nthe meeting projected to attract 15,000 Golkar members.<\/p>\n
Every party has the right to gather, Yusuf said, terming
\nGolkar \"peace-loving\". Akbar expressed the same view.<\/p>\n
Party executives and a member of the local elections committee
\nhave been among those urging postponement of Akbar's visit until
\napprehension over recent attacks again Golkar members, including
\nPurbalingga incident early this month, has subsided.<\/p>\n
The incident unfolded when Akbar was about to officiate at a
\nparty function in the town. Crowds wearing party symbols of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) attacked
\nsupporters and Akbar's car, although Akbar was unharmed.<\/p>\n
Police said arrests included members of Pemuda Pancasila, a
\ncharge denied by the youth group.<\/p>\n
The deputy to the Surakarta elections committee, Zaenal
\nMaarif, also believed Akbar should postpone his visit.<\/p>\n
Chairman of Surakarta's chapter of PDI Perjuangan, Slamet
\nSuryanto, said the people's resentment against Golkar was partly
\nbecause Akbar, also the minister\/state secretary, said the party
\nhad named several ministers for its campaign. His announcement
\nwas made amid controversy over whether ministers could campaign.<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission has ruled that political
\nparties cannot recruit members of the bureaucracy, including
\nministers, and the military in campaigning. The government is
\nopposed to the ban, saying ministers often campaign in developed
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Clashes have continued in Central Java but without the
\ninvolvement of Golkar members.<\/p>\n
On Sunday night five sustained stab wounds in a clash between
\nresidents in Bonang district of Demak. District head Djatmiko
\nsaid it was triggered after youths became involved in a heated
\nexchange of insults. A resident said the clash was between
\nsupporters of the United Development Party (PPP) and the National
\nAwakening Party (PKB), both Muslim-based organizations.<\/p>\n
PPP's provincial chairman Hendro Suyitno admitted tension with
\nsupporters of the PKB in Pekalongan, Demak, Semarang, Batang and
\nBrebes regencies. Party executives are working on building
\nharmony among different parties' supporters, he said.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, a planned debate for presidential nominees of
\nrespective political parties has drawn comment.<\/p>\n
Former finance minister Mar'ie Muhammad urged candidates to
\nstate the presidential term of office should be limited to one
\nterm although the People's Consultative Assembly has ruled a
\nlimit of two terms. \"A president would think only of how to keep
\nhis second term,\" Mar'ie said.<\/p>\n
In Madura, East Java, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman
\nAmien Rais said the party was prepared to sue Attorney General
\nAndi M. Ghalib if he was not serious in investigating corruption
\nallegations against former president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
In Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, police said they were still
\ninvestigating the burning of a PAN flag in Golewa, Ngada regency,
\non Thursday midnight.<\/p>\n
Antara reported from Bandarlampung that parties were trying to
\noutdo each other in making their presence known. They have
\ninstalled flags on various hills and in the forestry reserve
\nsurrounding Betung Mountain. (har\/nur\/yac)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-plans-to-go-on-with-central-java-event-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}