Election security arrangement inked

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Police and the 24 political parties eligible to contest the 2004 elections signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding to secure the polls and settle problems peacefully.

"We and all the 24 parties agree to make the elections peaceful, secure and smooth," National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said after the signing ceremony.

Under the memorandum, the police and the parties will set up a communication forum at the central, provincial and district levels to ensure security during the elections.

The memorandum obliges party supporters to abide by election regulations, especially during the campaigning period ahead of the polls.

However, the memorandum failed to recommend that the parties disband their paramilitary task forces (Satgas) as demanded by prodemocracy activists and other critics.

Da'i said all the political parties agreed to assign their Satgas to make sure that their supporters did not get out of control.

Satgas have been accused of sparking political violence involving supporters of rival parties.

Da'i said the police realized that the most dangerous phase of the election process was the campaigning period.

"Although it is forbidden for parties to stage mass parades, we can't deny the fact that people will move from one place to another on board a huge number of vehicles during the campaigning period.

"Under the agreement, we hope to control all activities during this phase in order to maintain peace and order," he said.

The police chief said he would deploy extra personnel to conflict-torn regions such as Aceh, Poso, Maluku and Papua in order to make the 2004 elections a success.

The chairman of the official Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu), Komarudin Hidayat, commented that the agreement was a positive sign and would significantly help ensure peaceful elections next year.

"The agreement sends a positive signal to people who are pessimistic about the elections. In this way the police and the parties will work together to achieve the same objective. This will make Panwaslu's task easier," he said.

The leaders of several parties expressed similar views and have put high hopes on the agreement.

"I think it is a good step. We all agree that all parties, not just the police, are responsible for security during the upcoming elections. We also agree not to give our task forces military- like uniforms," said R. Hartono, who leads the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB).

He said his party, which has nominated Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut" Rukmana as its presidential candidate, was ready to abide by all the election regulations.

Edy Sudrajat, chairman of the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI), said he was happy that all the parties agreed to make the elections peaceful.

"Party supporters must be kept under control to ensure peaceful elections. With this agreement, we are optimistic that the 2004 general election will run smoothly," he said.