75% campaign zones safe: Police

JAKARTA (JP): Police have classified about 75 percent of the country's election-campaign zones as safe.

Eight percent were troubled and the rest were very vulnerable, sources said.

The chief of the National Police General Information Department, Col. Bambang Haryoko, would not comment on the classifications Thursday.

"What's important is that police are ready to secure all locations during the campaign and general election," Bambang said.

Campaigning will officially begin on April 27 and end on May 23. The 27-day campaign period 23 will be followed by a four-day cooling-off period before the general election on May 29.

City councilor Sahala P. Sinaga, the city chapter secretary of the Indonesian Democratic Party, said earlier that several areas in Jakarta were riot prone.

"Such areas as Pademangan and Penjaringan districts in North Jakarta and Matraman in East Jakarta could be riot prone during campaigning," Sahala said.

Bambang said that more than 11,000 police would be assigned to Greater Jakarta during the campaigning period and general election. The officers would guard about 20,000 polling booths on election day.

"Normally, one officer would take care of four polling booths. He will be supported by six civil security officers," he said.

He said that all officers in the election security program had learnt the necessary regulations.

"Based on their training, officers will be able to make the best decision in handling any violations of regulations which may occur in their respective areas," he said.

In the leadup to the last election in 1992, most violations were of traffic regulations, Bambang said.

On May 29, the United Development Party, Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party will contest 425 seats in the House of Representatives.

The three parties are responsible for their own campaigns including the themes, speakers and venues of meetings, according to City Police campaign guidelines.

They are responsible for their supporters, vehicles and routes used while campaigning, and will take care of their own advertising.

Bambang said the parties had to keep their campaigns in order.

"The general election... is not only for the interests of the organizations (parties). So let's make it run smoothly for all our sakes," Bambang said. (cst)