Golkar seeks to reform campaign rules<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The ruling political group Golkar announced
\nyesterday that it will push to reform the electoral laws
\nregulating political campaigns and rallies.<\/p>\n
The reforms will deal primarily with procedures concerning the
\ncampaign period, which is generally lively and at times intense.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists at Golkar headquarters yesterday, vice
\nchairman Abdul Gafur said that election guidelines would be among
\nthe central topics to be discussed at Golkar's leadership meeting
\nat Hotel Indonesia from Oct. 17 to 19.<\/p>\n
In particular, they will focus on the possibility of limiting
\nparades and public demonstrations, which, they fear, could
\ndisrupt public order.<\/p>\n
Indonesians are set to go to the polls again in 1997 to elect
\nmembers to the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Gafur said the move to reform the electoral laws is aimed at
\nimproving the quality of the coming election. "It is to help
\nincrease the frequency of dialog during the campaign," remarked
\nthe former cabinet minister.<\/p>\n
Golkar has swept all past five general elections, winning at
\nleast two-thirds of the total votes each time.<\/p>\n
In October 1993, it elected Minister of Information Harmoko as
\nits new chairman, making him the first civilian to head the
\norganization which was founded by the Army in 1964.<\/p>\n
The three-day leadership meeting, which starts on Tuesday,
\nwill lead up to Golkar's 31st anniversary celebration on Oct. 20.<\/p>\n
Another Golkar chairperson, Waskito Reksosoedirja, said a
\nreception at the Jakarta Convention Center will be held to
\ncelebrate the anniversary, with the theme of "50-years My
\nIndonesia, 31-years My Golkar."<\/p>\n
There will also be various social activities held in
\nconnection with Golkar's birthday. These include free heart and
\ncholesterol check-ups, a visit by the Golkar leaders to the
\nKalibata Heroes Cemetery and a walkathon in which 6,000 people
\nare expected to participate.<\/p>\n
Abdul Gafur said the leadership meeting would also formulate a
\npolitical statement which would be read at the anniversary
\nreception.<\/p>\n
Gafur, who was also accompanied by Golkar executive members A.
\nFahmi Alatas and Sofyan Lubis, refused to elaborate on the
\npossible contents of the declaration.<\/p>\n
However, when asked whether the issue of succession would be
\ncontained in the declaration, Gafur retorted with a brisk "no".<\/p>\n
Separately the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party,
\nMegawati Sukarnoputri, said that there was nothing wrong with
\nprivate organizations publicly expressing support for a
\npresidential candidate.<\/p>\n
"There is no ban against organizations naming their choice as
\npresident for the 1998-2003 period. They have a right to do
\nthat," she said when asked to comment on a statement made by
\nGolkar's youth wing, Generasi Muda Gabungan Rakyat Indonesia,
\nthat they would support President Soeharto's renomination.<\/p>\n
Megawati argued that a mechanism for selecting the president
\nwas already established.<\/p>\n
"Let's just wait until 1997 to elect the people's
\nrepresentatives to the DPR\/MPR, and then let the People's
\nConsultative Assembly in March 1998 choose the country's best son
\nor daughter as president," she said as quoted by Antara
\nyesterday.(mds)<\/p>",
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