Campaign violence, public disorder emerge

Campaign violence, public disorder emerge

The Jakarta Post, Surakarta/ Surabaya/, Yogyakarta

The violent behavior on Thursday by the campaign participants
in several cities sent an alarming message to the 24 political
parties that they needed to keep a handle on their supporters and
improve their street campaign strategies to ensure that the April
5 legislative election would proceed peacefully and
democratically.

In Surakarta, Central Java, supporters of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), chaired by incumbent
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, beat up a supporter of the
Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS). The region has a
history of riots, including ethnic violence.

The PKS supporter, Arif Kristanto, was kicked and mobbed by
PDI-P supporters as he was riding his motorcycle in Komplang
village after attending a campaign featuring PKS chairman Hidayat
Nurwahid.

A similar incident between the two parties also occurred in
Jakarta on Tuesday.

Arif, who suffered injuries to his head and legs, reported the
beating to the Surakarta Election Supervisory Committee
(Panwasda).

Panwaslu member Imron Rosyad said PDI-P supporters also
violated election regulations on Thursday by tearing down the
flags of the United Development Party (PPP) and the Pioneers'
Party.

In Yogyakarta, a PPP executive threatened on Thursday to quit
the election after receiving a warning from the local Panwaslu
for inciting violence during a campaign.

Besides the PPP, the supervisory committee also rebuked
supporters of PDI-P for similar actions in a campaign last week.

In Surabaya, East Java, supporters of the Freedom Bull
National Party (PNBK) conducted a raucous campaign at a hockey
field near Dr. Sutomo General Hospital.

"We will not tolerate this again," hospital director Teguh
Silvaranto told reporters, adding that the hospital's two
ambulances were also trapped in the campaign, which spilled out
onto the street,for almost two hours.

In Jakarta, South Jakarta head of the Pioneers' Party Yuniono
promised that the party would provide free education for all if
the party won in the election. Party chairperson Rachmawati
Soekarnoputri is Megawati's younger sister.

Meanwhile, only a few dozens of people turned up for the
Regional United Party (PPD) campaign on Thursday in Central
Jakarta.

In a campaign which lasted less than an hour, the PPD
candidate said little on the party's political platform and
instead focused on correct ballot procedures.

"Do not vote only for those who rank high in the candidacy
list, but choose the person you are familiar with," campaigner
Atje told those assembled.

In Ambon, Christian-based Prosperous Peace Party (PDS)
chairman Ruyandi Hutasoit stressed that his party was targeting
Christian voters.

"If Christians unite, we will win because our members make up
more than 20 percent of the population," he said.

Meanwhile, responding to allegations that some parties had
been using counterfeit banknotes to attract supporters, Bank
Indonesia reported on Thursday a jump in the circulation of
banknotes in the first two months of the year, compared with the
same period last year.

The central bank's data showed that counterfeit notes in
January totaled Rp 221.8 million (US$26,400) and Rp 317 million
in February -- a significant increase compared to Rp 82.7 million
in January 2003 Rp 61 million in February in circulation last
year.