Three parties to cooperate for polls' success<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Three rival political parties pledged on
\nThursday to cooperate to foil any attempt by any parties to
\ndisrupt the June 7 elections. They also called on proreform
\nparties to be wary of \"dirty tricks\" launched by pro-status quo
\nelements.<\/p>\n
The secretaries-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), National Awakening Party (PKB) and
\nJustice and Unity Party (PKP) said unrest and terror across the
\ncountry were planned by elements to invoke public fear and
\nundermine the elections.<\/p>\n
\"The current situation is very dangerous to the existence of
\nthe reform movement,\" Iskandar Muhaimin of PKB said after the
\nthree parties' informal meeting. He said people were now
\nenvisioning a chaotic election rather than a free and fair one.<\/p>\n
He cited the recent bombing of the Istiqlal Grand Mosque in
\nJakarta as well as the riots in Ambon and West Kalimantan as
\ndirty tricks by pro-status quo groups to undermine people's
\nsupport for the polls.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, all proreform parties have to join hands, down to
\nthe grass roots level, in order to help avoid provocation and
\nconflicts.\"<\/p>\n
Alex Litaay of PDI Perjuangan concurred, saying if the polls
\nwere delayed or even canceled, \"it means the reform movement has
\nlost the battle\".<\/p>\n
Hayono Isman of PKP emphasized the importance of each party
\ninforming its followers about unity and nationhood issues.<\/p>\n
\"We are very glad that currently Muslims are not as easily
\nprovoked (even) after a horrible incident such as the Istiqlal
\nbombing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The three party leaders admitted to having frequent meetings
\nand to sharing information and strategies.<\/p>\n
\"We have conducted meetings like this also with PAN (the
\nNational Mandate Party led by Amien Rais),\" Hayono said.<\/p>\n
Iskandar indicated the three parties might name a single
\npresidential candidate after the June 7 polls.<\/p>\n
\"Currently we are in a stage of synchronizing perspectives and
\nstrategies to beat the status quo forces,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Concrete measures such as supporting each other in the
\nforthcoming campaigning period were planned, he said.<\/p>\n
\"We may have a joint campaign in several provinces.\"<\/p>\n
Alex cited several incidents of cheating uncovered in North
\nSumatra and several areas in Java during his visits to the
\nregions.<\/p>\n
\"In some plantations workers have been pressured to vote for a
\ncertain party. Some subdistrict chiefs are still mobilizing civil
\nservants.<\/p>\n
\"I think it is hard for Golkar to let go of its bad habits
\nwhich have been in force for over 30 years.\"<\/p>\n
Separately, in Cilacap, Central Java, the local branch of PDI
\nPerjuangan rejected a plan by Golkar to hold a meeting, scheduled
\nfor May 2. Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung is scheduled to
\naddress the rally.<\/p>\n
\"We ask police not to give permission to such a meeting
\nbecause it could lead to chaos the way it did in Purbalingga
\nrecently,\" said Franz Lukman, head of the Cilacap chapter of PDI
\nPerjuangan, referring to a clash between followers of the two
\nparties. (edt\/45\/34)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-parties-to-cooperate-for-polls-success-1447893297",
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