Kids' participation in campaign criticized<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The participation of minors in political
\ncampaigns has drawn criticism from observers.<\/p>\n
Psychologist S.C. Utami Munandar from the University of
\nIndonesia's School of Psychology, former lecturer of the same
\nfaculty Sartono Mukadis, and education expert Djohar M.S. said
\nseparately that taking children to campaign rallies was of no
\nbenefit to the children involved or to the political parties.<\/p>\n
\"The children are seeking revelry. Political parties won't
\nbenefit from their participation, since children are not allowed
\nto vote,\" Utami told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, only people aged 17 or above have the right to
\nvote, or younger people who are married.<\/p>\n
Djohar, who works at Yogyakarta's Teachers Training Institute,
\nsaid it would be better if parents and teachers kept their
\nunderage children or students from participating in the campaign,
\nsince the related activities could not serve as good political
\neducation.<\/p>\n
He said the campaign, which mostly featured long convoys that
\ncause congestion, could create a misperception about politics and
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
Also, \"politicians in their speeches use rhetoric and concepts
\nwhich are inconceivable to children unless they get good
\npolitical education in school\", Djohar was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
Djohar said teachers could educate students about politics
\nduring classes on social sciences, state-ideology Pancasila or
\ngeography.<\/p>\n
Sartono said that, in principle, he was not opposed to
\nunderage children participating in political campaigns as long as
\nit posed no danger to the children.<\/p>\n
\"(Germany's Chancellor) Helmut Kohl was seen to embrace
\nchildren during campaigns. Bill Clinton also did the same,\" he
\ntold the Post.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, Golkar chairman Harmoko picked up a small child
\nin Baucau, East Timor, during a rally on Sunday, and said his
\npolitical grouping did not only fight for the good of today's
\ngenerations, but also those to come. He then recited a prayer for
\nthe child, saying he hoped she would grow up and become the state
\nminister of women's affairs.<\/p>\n
Sartono said he was, however, concerned about children's
\nparticipation in the campaign, since those involved mostly
\npreferred street rallies which put children at risk.<\/p>\n
Sartono said campaigns could serve as political education for
\nchildren, providing the children also received good political
\neducation at school.<\/p>\n
\"Children should be taught political education from elementary
\nschool. Political education here means training children to be
\nbroad-minded, to tolerate different ideas and to be willing to
\ndiscuss them,\" he said.<\/p>\n
During most of the previous rounds of campaign, many political
\nsupporters took as many as three children riding on a motorbike,
\nor sitting perched atop the roofs of cars and buses. (jsk)<\/p>",
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