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)