Civil servants urged to stay impartial

KUTAI KARTANEGARA, East Kalimantan: Minister of Home Affairs M. Ma'ruf, reiterated his call on Wednesday for civil servants to stay neutral during direct regional elections.

The central government would "severely" reprimand civil servants known to have sided with any candidate during the election, he said while observing preparations for the election in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan.

"The civil servants who are found to be involved in campaigning will be severely punished," claimed Ma'ruf.

The election will begin in Kutai Kartanegara on June 1. Other local elections will take place in 214 regencies and municipalities and 11 provinces nationwide this year. -- JP