Al-Zaytun case

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