75% campaign zones safe: Police

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)