More opposition to planned Golkar Party function<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Kendal joined Surakarta on Thursday in calling
\non Golkar Party to cancel a planned function with local
\nsupporters.<\/p>\n
A member of Kendal's elections supervisory committee, Sudarto,
\ntold The Jakarta Post the committee would ask local Golkar chief
\nGempur Bambang to call off the function, scheduled for April 10.
\nGolkar chairman Akbar Tandjung is expected to speak at the
\ngathering.<\/p>\n
\"It's feared the event will spark unrest similar to that which
\noccurred in Purbalingga and Surabaya and we don't want to be
\nblamed for not reminding Golkar of the potential for violence,\"
\nSudarto said.<\/p>\n
Following the Purbalingga incident on Friday last week, the
\nGeneral Elections Commission (KPU) urged all 48 parties
\ncontesting the June 7 general election to delay all gatherings
\nuntil the campaign period begins on May 19.<\/p>\n
KPU has sent a team to Purbalingga to investigate the clashes
\nbetween Golkar supporters and a group of people wearing
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\nattributes. Police arrested 37 people and indicted eight of them
\nfor their involvement in the incident.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Dimyati Hartono, who recently
\nvisited the Central Java town, said in Jakarta on Thursday the
\nfray was sparked because Golkar was allowed to hold a gathering
\ndespite the regency elections committee's ban against all mass
\nrallies prior to the campaign period.<\/p>\n
Citing security concerns, the head of the Surakarta elections
\ncommittee, Zainal Maarif, asked Golkar on Wednesday to delay its
\nscheduled April 17 gathering.<\/p>\n
The chief of Golkar's Kendal branch, Gempur, said he would
\nconsult his colleagues about the elections supervisory
\ncommittee's objections.<\/p>\n
Gempur said Akbar had yet to confirm his presence at the
\nfunction. \"Even if he (Akbar) comes, he will address Golkar
\nsupporters behind closed-doors. There will be no huge mass
\ngathering.\"<\/p>\n
In Surakarta, the chief of the local Golkar branch, Yusuf
\nHidayat, said preparations for the April 17 meeting were going
\nforward despite the elections committee's request to cancel the
\nfunction.<\/p>\n
\"There are no changes in plans as far as we have heard from
\nGolkar executives in Jakarta,\" Yusuf said.<\/p>\n
Defense<\/p>\n
In Pengkep, South Sulawesi, Golkar executive Arnold Baramuli
\ndefended his party's policy of defying KPU calls against early
\nelectioneering.<\/p>\n
\"We are not holding rallies but family get-togethers. We have
\nplanned as many gatherings as possible to promote our new status
\nas a political party,\" Baramuli said. \"But unfortunately other
\nparties are jealous of our success in gathering huge crowds.\"<\/p>\n
Golkar chairman Akbar said in Jakarta the party's planned
\ngatherings would go ahead as planned if the police allowed them.
\n\"We have complied with the rules and have never intended to
\ndisturb anybody,\" said Akbar, who also is Minister\/State
\nSecretary.<\/p>\n
Golkar deputy chairman Theo Sambuaga supported Akbar, saying
\nthe planned gatherings merely would serve as a means to
\nconsolidate party members and supporters prior to the election.<\/p>\n
He insisted Golkar was committed to a free, fair, transparent
\nand democratic election.<\/p>\n
While Golkar seems to have dismissed KPU's call against
\nprecampaign gatherings, fellow poll favorite the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN) is awaiting further instructions from the commission.<\/p>\n
PAN chairman Amien Rais said he understood KPU's suggestion,
\nbut demanded further elaboration. \"The ruling must be clear about
\nwhat kind of gatherings are banned.\" (har\/amd\/30\/edt)<\/p>",
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