Councillors receive threats for vote

PEKANBARU, Riau: Several members of the Golkar faction at the regional council of Riau say they have been intimidated to vote for a certain gubernatorial candidate in the coming election.

"We have received threats of blackmail, as well as threats made over phone to our residences and offices," said a member of the council who did not wish to be identified.

He also declined to identify the gubernatorial candidate specified in the threats.

He did admit that several Golkar councillors who supported the candidate had tried to impose their will on other members in order to "help" the candidate into the gubernatorial post.

"The threats have made us feel insecure, although at other times, they (the callers) have offered us various 'gifts'," he said.

Golkar has yet to name its candidate, which has prompted 14 regental branches to lodge a motion of no-confidence against chairman of the provincial chapter Darwis Rida. -- Antara