Sarwono takes Golkar message to north coast<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Senior Golkar official Sarwono Kusumaatmadja
\nwent on the campaign trail in North Jakarta Wednesday, trumpeting
\nthe message that everyone in the area stood to gain from the
\ngovernment-sponsored Jakarta Waterfront Development Program.<\/p>\n
Sarwono, who is State Minister of Environment, told an
\nenthusiastic audience of around 2,000 people that the project was
\n"a vast and very well-planned development" that would open
\nopportunities in education, tourism and other fields.<\/p>\n
The project involves the reclamation and development of 2,700
\nhectares along 32 kilometers of Jakarta Bay and improvements to
\n2,500 hectares of existing land in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
With the flair of a talk show host, Sarwono first introduced
\nan official from the Regional Planning Board office to explain
\nthe project, also known as the Pantura reclamation project.<\/p>\n
He then told the audience how the project would be a bonanza
\nfor the people of North Jakarta and that they should strive to
\nreap the benefits.<\/p>\n
"For instance, it will open business opportunities in the
\ntourism industry, where people can benefit by opening homestays
\nfor tourists.<\/p>\n
"This project will not only benefit big hotel chains. You can
\nall take the opportunity to benefit from it. Do it by working
\ntogether," he said, watched by North Jakarta mayor R. Suprawito.<\/p>\n
Sarwono then introduced an ice vendor whose three children
\nhave managed to pursue their education to university level. This
\nshowed, he told the audience, that they also could "make things
\nhappen".<\/p>\n
Eko, a 48-year-old resident of the Jl. Lodan neighborhood in
\nNorth Jakarta, stepped toward Sarwono, shook his hand, and then
\nshouted to the audience "Long live Golkar!"<\/p>\n
The audience, mostly clad in yellow T-shirts and sporting red-
\nand-white (the color of Indonesia's national flag) bandannas
\naround their shoulders, went into raptures at the exclamation.<\/p>\n
Sarwono's next "guests" were local Golkar officials. He made
\nthem pledge publicly their commitment to help people reap the
\nproject's benefits.<\/p>\n
"Show the people Golkar's real programs, show them the people
\nwho they can cooperate with, show them that Golkar's work is
\nreal," Sarwono said. The Golkar officials pledged their
\ncommitment instantaneously.<\/p>\n
The rally, which lasted about two hours, ended with all
\nsinging the patriotic song "Gebyar" and Sarwono calling on Golkar
\nsupporters to ask everyone to cooperate in developing the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
"Don't be racist, don't politicize religion, find yourself
\nhonest people to work with and those who want to work hard.<\/p>\n
"Election campaigns should be used by everyone to strengthen
\nour national unity, instead of disintegrating it," he said in a
\nfiery tone.<\/p>\n
Sarwono called on all Golkar supporters at the rally to put
\ndown the Golkar flag and take up the national flag when
\ncampaigning resumes today.<\/p>\n
The audience dispersed peacefully. No street processions were
\nnoticeable and only a few security forces were deployed in the
\nvicinity of the rally venue. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sarwono-takes-golkar-message-to-north-coast-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}