Government tells Panwaslu to act on lies, rumors
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Bambang Nurbianto, Jakarta
The government urged Election Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) on Monday to get serious and combat the increasing amount of lies and rumors being disseminated electronically against candidates, saying that it might lead to brawls between supporters.
"Panwaslu should immediately investigate who was behind high- tech attacks or it would heighten tension," interim Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Hari Sabarno said after a Cabinet meeting on Monday.
Nevertheless, he promised that the July 5 election would be safe as was the case in the April 5 legislative election.
Injurious rumors have been spread en masse against some candidates via cellular phones, the Internet and video CDs, over the last month since the campaign season kicked off on June 1.
"We urge Panwaslu to take action against those involved," Hari said.
To ensure that everything remains safe, he said that the Indonesian Military (TNI) would support the National Police especially in conflict areas such as Aceh, Maluku and Papua.
"The government has also set up a working group to watch the market movement and to ensure sufficient stocks of goods and staple foods during the election," said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kunjoro-Jakti, adding that the group would give reports every three days.
Dorodjatun also urged the public to report any problems by e- mail or telephone to related government officials.
The five candidates and their running mates, Wiranto- Solahuddin Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi, Amien Rais-Siswono Yudohusodo, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla and Hamzah Haz-Agum Gumelar, moved along with their campaigns on Monday as the election date draws near.
Puan Maharani, daughter of Megawati, visited the chief of the Central Java branch of the Indonesia's Ullemas Council (MUI) Habib Lutfi Yahya in Pekalongan.
"She came here on my invitation, (her visit was) not related to the presidential election," Habib was quoted by Antara as saying.
Amien sent his daughter Hanum Salsabila to campaign for him in Langkat and Muara Enim regencies in South Sumatra.
While during a rally in Ciamis, West Java, local public figures gave Amien a scale symbolizing justice.
Susilo visited Al-Munawwir Krapyak boarding school in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta and addressed tens of thousands of supporters at the Denggung soccer field in Sleman regency.
While in Banten his running mate Jusuf Kalla assured hundreds of his supporters that Susilo was a good Muslim and did not receive any financial support from foreign Christians.
"Pak Susilo is a haji, do not believe any rumors (by SMS or Internet) that he is getting support from international Christian organizations," Jusuf said as quoted by Antara.
Wiranto, told his supporters in Pontianak, West Kalimantan that he would reconsider the need to have the Certificate of Indonesian Citizenship (SBKRI) for the Chinese-Indonesians.
Agum Gumelar visited Tangga Butung bus terminal of Palembang, South Sumatra and spoke with the people at the terminal.
In Jakarta, Wiranto campaign activists decided not to campaign in the five municipalities and the Thousand Islands regency due to what they termed logistical difficulties and financial constraints.
"We cannot hold campaign rallies if there is no incentive from the national team," they said.
They, however, said that volunteers at district levels were still distributing posters and other promotional materials.