Golkar supporters want better rice

Golkar supporters want better rice

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): Golkar supporters are
besieging their leaders with demands, even local teachers want
better rice in their monthly rations.

Other supporters want free school tuition, cheaper gasoline
and typewriters for local administration offices in return for
votes.

In Gowa regency, supporters asked campaigners Radinal Moochtar
and Paturungi Parawansa yesterday what Golkar was doing to
improve the welfare of civil servants and teachers -- all
mandatory Golkar supporters.

"Dear Golkar campaigners, we don't deny that we are given
monthly rice rations (by the government). The problem is, we have
to sign receipts stating that we received good quality rice when
what we really got was poor quality rice," said one teacher among
the thousands of people at the Golkar rally.

There was a thunderous applause after the teacher's remark,
prompting a hasty response from the speakers.

"It's a small problem," Paturungi said. "What's important is
that Golkar will continuously strive to improve the welfare of
teachers and civil servants."

Radinal, also Minister of Public Works, promised that Golkar
would keep fighting for its supporters' welfare. "Golkar will
channel people's aspirations, and fight for them. But
(development) programs that have been set up won't run well
unless the community helps," he said.

Another supporter asked Golkar to provide clean water for
schools in Gowa regency.

"Insya Allah (God willing), I will soon provide the schools
with such a facility," said Radinal, who also promised to look
into a request for cheap housing for teachers.

"We will consider the request, and cooperate with the South
Sulawesi administration and other relevant agencies," he said.

Paturungi promised that teachers would soon be sent to study
abroad.

"You just wait and see. If you are achievers and can get even
better, (we'll) send you abroad," he said.

Across the island, in the East Kalimantan capital of
Balikpapan, campaigner I.B. Sudjana captivated a Golkar rally by
singing Bujangan, a popular song about the joys of being single.

Sudjana, also Minister of Mines and Energy, grooved in the
heat with about 10,000 supporters and several Golkar singers and
celebrities.

Sudjana told the rally that Golkar would always fight for the
poor, Antara reported. He said that fishermen and motorcycle
taxis (ojeg) drivers would be among those to receive assistance.

Sudjana then took off his wristwatch, engraved with Golkar's
banyan tree symbol, and gave it to an ojeg driver.

In Banjarmasin regency, South Kalimantan, convoys of Golkar
supporters caused big traffic jams.

Antara reported that most supporters joined the motorcades
rather than listen to campaign speeches at rallies in several
villages.

In Central Kalimantan, Golkar's rally in Kapuas regency was
led by Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, also State Minister of Environment.
The National Development Planning Board's deputy chairman,
Rahardi Ramelan, addressed a rally in Kotawaringin regency.

In Palu, Central Sulawesi, Golkar chairman Harmoko went all
out to woo first-time voters.

Addressing 12,000 supporters at Palu City Hall, Minister of
Information Harmoko gave a Golkar wristwatch and handkerchief to
a female first-time voter. He gave his gold-plated wristwatch and
waistcoat to an ojeg driver. (30/imn)