Ad appeals for calm in campaign

SURABAYA (JP): The Brawijaya regional military commander, Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo, has made a public appeal for security, stability and unity through a newspaper advertisement.

But his quarter-page advertisement in several East Java newspapers from May 7 to May 9 has been met by criticism and protests.

The advertisement contained an eight-point appeal for national unity and a declaration that the campaign was not a forum for slander or division.

Point seven of the appeal was the most controversial. It said, "... people should not choose brutal political parties."

United Development Party (PPP) officials immediately lashed out over the advertisement, which led with Utomo's photo, saying it was a hidden campaign for Golkar.

Utomo defended his advertisement yesterday by saying it had been misinterpreted and that people were in a fuss about nothing.

"I had no intention of doing that (campaigning). My responsibility is the safe and secure running of the election. That's all," he said.

"All I wanted to do is make sure that everything runs smoothly, it wasn't meant to say that anybody had acted brutally. If anyone feels or reacts towards it then it means they probably feel that they are a brutal lot," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Mudrick M. Sangidoe, head of PPP's branch in Surakarta, Central Java, has openly chided Utomo's advertisement.

"The military commander is functioning as a covert campaigner. As our security chief he shouldn't be doing this," Mudrick said Sunday.

Political observer Ramlan Surbakty at the Airlangga University defended Utomo. "The advertisement shows that he is functioning as the man in charge of security during campaign and election," he said. "Only the point seven that shows (the hidden agenda)."

East Java residents have their own interpretation of the advertisement. Benny, a teacher, said he planned not to vote because "we're told not to vote for brutal parties. I think all of the contestants are brutal." (26/mds)