Campaigning officials told to take leave

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The North Sumatra General Election Commission (KPUD) will prohibit state officials from campaigning in the province unless first taking leave.

KPUD chairman Irham Buana Nasution said on Wednesday that unless they took leave in advance, state officials would be able to abuse state facilities in order to campaign.

"In order to prevent this possible abuse, they have to receive a leave permit, which them must submit to us before campaigning," said Irham.

He said five state officials had already said they would be campaigning in North Sumatra, including President Megawati Soekarnoputri, the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Golkar Party leader Akbar Tandjung, National Mandate Party (PAN) leader Amien Rais, and Vice President Hamzah Haz, the leader of the United Development Party (PPP). -- JP