Golkar charge taints mostly smooth campaign

JAKARTA (JP): The first phase of the two-week general election campaign was generally considered secure and orderly, except for a spoiler on Monday which could lead to the Golkar Party's disqualification from the remainder of the campaign.

Deputy chairman of the Election Supervisory Committee Todung Mulya Lubis told reporters on Tuesday the official poll watchdog might bar Golkar from the rest of the campaign after finding evidence the ruling party's security personnel carried sharp weapons.

"Golkar officials insisted that none of their security volunteers possessed weapons. But today's papers and TV broadcasts clearly show that they were armed," he said.

"It means the (Golkar) officials lied to us. Television footage and the pictures cannot lie."

However, the election supervisory body would need further evidence to impose sanctions on Golkar, said the noted lawyer who also coordinates the University Network for Free and Fair Elections (Unfrel).

Todung attended an evaluation meeting with the General Elections Commission (KPU), National Elections Committee (PPI) and National Police at the KPU office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.

Among the topics discussed was the disturbance in which dozens of people clashed with Golkar security personnel near the party's Jakarta chapter in Cikini, Central Jakarta. Golkar security volunteers, clad in black uniforms, were seen in TV footage waving machetes and bamboo spears as they chased people who earlier stoned party convoys.

The campaign rules endorsed by KPU say that serious violations, including instigating disturbances and practicing money politics, carry a maximum penalty of a ban from campaigning.

Todung said Golkar could face charges of inciting clashes and engaging in money politics.

He said the incident reportedly erupted after several Golkar officials failed to fulfill a pledge to pay local residents. Golkar executives have denied the reports.

Separately, the head of the Jakarta Election Supervisory Committee, Benny Johan Simatupang, supported Todung's comments, saying it was evident that Golkar violated the campaign code of conduct by allowing its security personnel to carry weapons.

"It could be categorized as a crime and they (Golkar security volunteers) can be punished under the Criminal Code. Golkar can be disqualified, but we will first summon the party leaders," Benny said after a meeting between the parties' leaders and city officials to evaluate the first phase of campaigning.

The provincial poll watchdog has reportedly reprimanded Golkar for the alleged violation of security personnel carrying arms.

Benny also said that a member of the Jakarta election supervisory body, Abi Ihwanudin, was a victim of extortion committed by a group of people in black uniforms.

"He lost his wristwatch and Rp 350,000 (US$49) in cash," Benny said. He did not identify the group.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said on Tuesday police summoned head of Golkar's Jakarta chapter Tadjus Sobirin on Monday night to seek his clarification over the incident.

Noegroho said police found that unidentified people spread rumors among scavengers that Golkar would provide T-shirts and Rp 40,000 in cash.

No arrests have been made following the incident, Noegroho said.

He also called on parties contesting the June polls not to equip their security forces with any weaponry. "We will seize the weapons, although we won't make any arrests," Noegroho said.

In a media conference which followed Tuesday's evaluation meeting, KPU chairman Rudini said the first phase of the campaign was considered smooth and relatively secure.

"Despite various conflicts, we can say that the situation is under control," added National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, who was also present at Tuesday's meeting.

He said violations were mostly committed by motorists during street rallies. "Many of them did not ply the route provided for them and eventually met with supporters of rival parties. As a result, heavy traffic congestion was unavoidable and sometimes they were involved in clashes."

Roesmanhadi also promised a thorough investigation into certain parties which allegedly tampered with their lists of legislative candidates.

The meeting also discussed poll-rigging, including findings that some ballots in South Kalimantan and Sumenep, a town on Madura Island in East Java, were already marked in favor of particular parties.

"The practice is likely to have happened while local elections committee members folded the ballot papers," PPI chairman Jacob Tobing said.

PPI will send new ballot papers to the two areas and order the local elections committee to withdraw the spoiled ballots.

Jacob said in the next two days all ballot papers and boxes must be received by regional elections committees in areas outside Java.

"The poll materials must reach subdistrict polling committees there by June 4," he said.

During the meeting it was revealed that participants in campaigning by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle topped the list for traffic violations. (edt/ind/jun)