Campaigns: Latest tourist attraction

BATAM, Riau: The local administration announced here on Thursday plans to make a tourist attraction out of the often violent campaigning of political parties.

Mayor R.A. Azis told Antara that a parade of 29 parties would take place on May 16, with each party sending 30 supporters to march together with residents.

After the parade, all participants would be served special foods, including chicken porridge, the mayor said.

"We hope the event would be attractive enough to lure tourists," he was quoted as saying.

Batam is the country's gate of entry for 25 percent of the total number of tourists visiting Indonesia, which in 1999 is predicted to reach 1.2 million people.

Azis said political parties have committed themselves to making the campaign period -- from May 19 through June 4 -- as peaceful as possible in the city.