Councillors criticizes for sequestration

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra

An activist of a civil rights non-governmental organization (NGO) condemned on Monday the Deli Serdang regental council's move to sequester 45 councillors at the Grand Angkasa Hotel in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra.

The councillors have been sequestered in the hotel since Monday, three days before they elect a Deli Serdang regent and deputy regent scheduled on Thursday.

"The sequestration wastes the public's money," said Edi Rianto, executive director of the People Mandate Forum in North Sumatra.

"Past experience has taught us that money politics still occurs across the country, even though sequestration was imposed," he said.

He added that, by isolating the councillors, it would be even easier to bribe them.

Separately, Deli Serdang Council deputy chairman Hasaiddin Daulay said the local administration had to spend about Rp 54 million (US$63,53) on accommodation and meals for the councillors.

Although the cost was dear, he said, the councillors had to be sequestered to prevent money politics and to ensure an honest and fair election.

He defended the practice, saying that under sequestration, Council leaders and the public could watch over the councillors and quickly detect any fishy deals.

"If bribery or money politics still happens despite our efforts to prevent it ... then it is out of our hands. It really depends on the conscience of the councillors," said Hasaiddin.

The Deli Serdang Council endorsed last week two pairs of candidates to contest the regental election: incumbent regent Abdul Hafidh and running mate Edi Rangkuti, secretary of the North Sumatra chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan); and Amri Tambunan, head of the North Sumatra Information and Communication Office, and running mate Yusuf Sembiring, a businessman.

The first pair was nominated by the PDI Perjuangan faction and the second was nominated by the Golkar Party and Reform factions.