Golkar cannot make people vote: Habibie
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Golkar cannot stop people abstaining from voting although it strongly disapproves of it, Golkar functionary B.J. Habibie said here yesterday.
The state minister of research and technology frowned before admitting that everybody had the right to choose Golput (not to vote).
"Don't think that Golkar will bother them. That's your right," Habibie said in response to a question from the 1000-strong audience at a Golkar rally.
A recent survey at Hassanudin University concluded that over 30 percent of the university's 23,000 students would not vote in the May 29 election.
Habibie lamented the survey's results. "If the results are like that then I am ashamed.
"Still, Golkar's leadership won't obstruct you from choosing Golput, Golkar or any other (party) because that's your right," he said.
Habibie then attacked the abstainers for being irresponsible and politically immature. He said that deliberate non-voters did not realize their rights and responsibilities.
"While it's true that you cannot be forced to vote, don't forget your responsibility to ensure the continuation of development," he said.
Parade
Meanwhile in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Golkar campaigning caused a five-kilometer spontaneous parade which caused traffic jams for hours.
Antara reported that more than 10,000 vehicles carrying about 30,000 Golkar supporters poured onto Banjarmasin's streets.
The procession formed as the crowd left a rally, which had featured Wardiman Djojonegoro as the main speaker. There were no major incidents.
In his speech, Wardiman lashed back at people who had arbitrarily called the bureaucracy corrupt.
"If all bureaucrats were corrupt how could this country have developed. It would be in ruins by now," said Wardiman, the minister of education and culture.
He said people should not generalize about the bureaucracy because corruption also existed in the private sector. "Corruption in the private sector is pretty big, but it isn't really exposed," he said.
In Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Mar'ie Muhammad added a placating tone to a rally by calling on people to pray often for domestic security and peace.
"We must pray and beg for forgiveness more often and ask that our nation always be safe," he said.
Mar'ie only spoke for 10 minutes so the singers Nia Daniaty and Cucu Tjahyani had more time to entertain the 10,000-strong crowd.
In last night's televised Golkar monologue, Golkar deputy chairman Abdul Gafur defended his party's development policies.
"It is true there are still economic disparities, but this doesn't mean the direction of our development is wrong," he said.
In a yellow suit, Gafur stressed Golkar's focus on the country's future by saying that it wanted to augment the education budget.
Golkar had emphasized the importance of the younger generation which was proved by 25 percent of its legislature candidates being from this generation, he said.
He then reaffirmed Golkar's commitment to continue supporting the Armed Forces' dual role in politics and security. (30/31/mds)