Fair mayoral election demanded

TANGERANG (JP): Hundreds of students rallied at the Tangerang legislative council here on Wednesday, demanding a fair and objective mayoral election for the 1998/2003 term.

The students claimed to represent two groups, the Tangerang Students Communication Forum (FKMT) and the Tangerang Ukhuwah Islamiyah Forum (FUIT).

Several councilors, including RS Ruchiyat of the council's Golkar faction, met with FKMT student leaders.

The students demanded that the mayoral election be held as soon as possible, according to FKMT coordinator Sadudin.

"We also called on the councilors to reject any bribes offered by candidates or parties during the election process," he said.

"We believe the councilors, as representatives of the people, should defend the people's aspirations and uphold public interests, not the interests of a single person or a solitary group," he added.

Iskandar Zulkarnain, head of FUIT, also urged the council to hold the mayoral election democratically. (41/hhr)