Golkar to continue campaigning in capital

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar's Jakarta chapter will proceed with localized indoor rallies today, despite yesterday's clashes in many parts of the capital.

Chapter chairman Tadjus Sobirin said campaigning would proceed as planned but supporters would be advised not to use motor vehicles to get to venues.

He said campaigning would be localized within subdistricts so people could walk to venues rather than use public transportation or private vehicles.

Unrest was most likely to occur while people traveled to or from rallies, he said.

He said Golkar supporters should attend rallies in their respective subdistricts, so they would not have to walk more than two kilometers to venues.

Clashes between angry mobs and security officials occurred in several parts of Jakarta yesterday, despite the United Development Party's (PPP) decision to cancel all campaigning in the city for fear of violence.

The riots broke out after security forces stopped PPP supporters forming motorcades.

Tadjus advised Golkar supporters to stay at home and refrain from disturbing other parties when it was their turn to campaign.

"There are many people in Jakarta who are waiting for a chance to create unrest during campaigning and foil the elections," he said. "There are others who stir up trouble so they can loot the shops they destroy."

Golkar's Jakarta chapter secretary, Ariputra Bintana, said the party's rallies today would occur in 217 subdistricts across the city.

Golkar would deploy about 100 members of its security force in each subdistrict as an "extra precaution".

Despite yesterday's riots, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi dismissed suggestions of a serious security threat.

"Security officials have so far been doing their best and will continue to do so until the general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (next year)," he said.

He denied that Jakarta's police force was struggling to cope.

"We are always prepared, particularly because we have troops to back us up," he said.

Nurfaizi said that none of his men had had to shoot at rioters to calm them down.

He said that three soldiers and 80 civilians had died nationwide during campaigning, which enters its 25th day today.

He said security officials in the field would "take action" against party supporters who continued to join street convoys.

He said this was in line with the joint statement issued by the leaders of the three parties' Jakarta chapters earlier this week. They vowed there would be no more street rallies until campaigning ends.

"If street rallies continue, then those taking part in them couldn't be members of the three political contestants. We can assume they are intruders, and this will make things easier for us," he said. (imn/10/pwn)