Election campaign won't be used to bully: Harmoko

JAKARTA (JP): Ruling political group Golkar had promised not to turn the upcoming election campaign into an arena to bully other contestants.

Chairman Harmoko appealed to all Golkar cadres to promote a cool and serene atmosphere during the official campaign period between April 27 and May 23, Antara reported.

"During the campaign, we must not bully the other parties," he said during a meeting with Golkar leaders and members in Tanjung, a village in Subang, West Java.

"On the contrary, Golkar cadres must develop a cool and serene climate, and show praiseworthy behavior," he said, adding that Golkar must avoid stirring people's emotions.

The government, which organizes general elections, has taken steps to minimize the likelihood of violence and clashes between supporters of the three groups contesting the May 29 general election.

In a series of decrees, it has banned mass outdoor rallies and motorcades, and has encouraged contestants to organize political discussions with supporters instead. State-run TVRI is being made available to all three groups -- all assured of equal time -- to air their political messages nationwide. But campaign material must first be approved by the election authorities.

The two minority parties contesting the elections -- the United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) -- have complained that the campaign rules are too restrictive to enable them to get their messages across.

With the law banning contestants from campaigning on ideological lines, the two minority parties have been left with little choice but to pick on the government's failures.

Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. has said the election contestants are welcome to criticize the government's record during the campaign period.

Golkar, which has won all five elections held under the New Order administration of President Soeharto, is expected to defend the government's record and successes as it has in the past.

Harmoko, who is also minister of information, said Golkar would not turn the campaign period into a show of force.

Every Golkar campaign speaker must promote dialog and give forward-looking perspectives, he said.

They should explain Golkar's programs, and then open a discussion with would-be voters. They should take note of the aspirations that they encounter and report to Golkar, he said.

Harmoko said Golkar had set a target of 70 percent of the total votes, up from the 68 percent it won five years ago.

"Golkar's tally of votes must increase. If it doesn't, that means Golkar has been walking on the same spot," said Harmoko, who since his election to the Golkar helm three years ago has stomped around the country's 27 provinces to mobilize his cadres. (emb)