City set to do its best for coming election: Surjadi
City set to do its best for coming election: Surjadi
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Surjadi Soedirdja, in his capacity as
chairman of the city's election committee, said yesterday the
city would do its best to make the campaign period and the
election run smoothly.
The city, he said, should always try to make elections better
than previous ones.
"With our limited facilities we are doing our best," he said,
urging contestants and the public to share responsibility "for a
conducive climate".
The campaign and elections, he said, "should not be an
opportunity for people to make trouble".
He also reminded people that the election rules prohibit
street rallies.
"The rules are designed to minimize the potential for physical
conflict between parties and between members of the public," he
said.
Surjadi was speaking after presenting the election's three
contestants an additional Rp 1.5 billion in campaign funds from
the city budget.
The city's election committee, contestants and local religious
leaders also said prayers for a smooth campaigning period and
election.
Earlier the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian
Democratic Party (PDI) and the Golkar group had received Rp 500
million each.
The contestants had said the previous sum was far from enough
for the 27-day campaign period.
Yesterday, each contestant got an additional Rp 250 million
for their city branches, while their five mayoralty offices got
another Rp 50 million.
Surjadi presented the additional funds to each party's city
office chairman: Tadjus Sobirin of Golkar, Rusdi Hamka of PPP and
Lukman Mokoginta of PDI.
The campaign period here starts on Sunday nationwide and lasts
until May 23. Golkar kicks off in Jakarta first, followed by PDI
on Monday and PPP on Tuesday. Each party is entitled to nine
rounds.
Surjadi denied yesterday that there were city programs linked
to Golkar's campaign. Last week Minister of Education and Culture
Wardiman Djojonegoro launched flood control projects and
renovated schools in North Jakarta. Sources said the minister was
acting in his capacity as Golkar patron for Jakarta.
Surjadi said "we cannot stop city programs just because of
elections..Don't be so suspicious."
A city rule on campaigning is to be enforced despite protests
from PPP's national board chairman, Ismail Hasan Metareum.
Ismail had said the city rule violated national rules, and had
instructed the PPP city office to ignore it.
Surjadi declined to comment.
In the city rule supporters from one mayoralty may not attend
campaign sites in another mayoralty. The national rules state
people are free to attend campaigns.
City PPP chairman Rusdi said PPP had found a solution, "but
it's not for publication." (anr/ste)