Al-Zaytun case

From Koran Tempo

Thousands of voters were taken in buses to 83 polling stations at Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School in Indramayu, West Java. Following this, protests were lodged and a stern measure taken by the commander of the Indonesian Military (TNI), Gen. Endriartono Sutarto. He relieved from office the commander of the TNI headquarters transportation corps (someone with a lieutenant colonel rank), who was responsible for the 21 TNI buses that transported the voters.

Reports have it that the election results at Al-Zaytun were as follows: 24,794 of 24,839 valid votes went to Wiranto. Six votes went to Megawati. Amien Rais got 21 votes, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono got 16 votes and Hamzah Has got 2 votes. Naturally, an allegation has arisen that Wiranto's campaign team was connected with this case.

Unfortunately, the local elections commission was not bothered by this dishonest practice. They said the votes were valid. Even West Java Elections Commission simply said that it was an administrative violation.

Both commissions failed to see the political motive that could lie behind this case. Thus, the police must take quick action to clear up the matter. They must try to find out who was responsible, and must bring to light alleged collusion between the Indramayu Elections Commission and Al-Zaytun.

Thousands of people from several towns in West and Central Java, and also from Jakarta, could not have traveled there by themselves. It must be borne in mind that 21 TNI buses were used, 10 buses owned by the Jakarta administration, 202 public buses, 109 cars and 712 motorized vehicles. Clearly, someone financed the operation.

Once again, security apparatuses must thoroughly probe this case so that, if necessary, the candidates concerned can be disqualified.

YUNITA AMALIA Jakarta