Candidates stay true to what they do best, making promises
Candidates stay true to what they do best, making promises
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
As the second week of the presidential campaign began, candidates
on Monday traveled across the country to meet with supporters and
prospective voters, pledging to bring about improvement.
In the West Java town of Kuningan, Agum Gumelar, the running
mate of presidential candidate Hamzah Haz of the United
Development Party (PPP), vowed to step up efforts to uproot
terrorists from the country.
Agum also said he would be tough on secessionist movements,
which he said threatened the integrity of the country.
"Separatist movements have to be crushed as they are not only
enemies of the Indonesian Military and police, but also the
country's citizens," he said.
In Malang, East Java, presidential candidate Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono of the upstart Democratic Party told dozens of
elementary school teachers that he would fight to improve their
lot.
"I will give you a written answer in the next two weeks to
show you that I love education and want to improve it," he said.
In Jeneponto, South Sulawesi, Susilo's running mate Jusuf
Kalla paid a visit to hundreds of inmates at a local correctional
center.
In the course of 15 minutes, 56 inmates made up their minds
and decided that they would vote for Susilo in the July 5
presidential election.
In Padang, West Sumatra, Hasyim Muzadi, the running mate of
incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri, told supporters the
fight against corruption would be a long and winding road.
"Experience from East Asian countries such as China has taught
us that it takes between 10 and 15 years to stamp out
corruption," he said.
Hasyim said that efforts by Megawati's administration to
eradicate corruption had won the support of leaders who shared a
similar commitment.
Earlier in the day, Megawati blasted candidates who have vowed
to bring about a speedy recovery for the nation's economy.
"It does not make any sense that poverty and unemployment can
be resolved in the blink of an eye," she was quoted as saying by
Detik.com news portal.
In his speech, Hasyim blamed the leaders of former regimes for
the corruption that plagues the country.
On the issue of the press, Hasyim said he was fully committed
to the burgeoning press freedom.
"I fully support Tempo magazine in its legal battle against
businessman Tomy Winata," he said in reference to the ongoing
libel battle between the magazine and Tomy.
However, Hasyim said freedom of the press should not take
precedence over national interests. "Press freedom must not have
an adverse impact on the country's interests, rather it should
promote these interests."
In Manado, North Sulawesi, Siswono Yudohusodo, the running
mate of Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said the
country had to develop its maritime industries if it hoped to
prosper.
Siswono, who is also the head of the Indonesian Farmers
Community Association, said that both he and Amien were committed
to relinquishing their current posts should they be elected
president and vice president. Amien is currently the speaker of
the People's Consultative Assembly.