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.