Governor says no to party posts

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The city administration will prohibit the establishment of political party posts across the city, to prevent possible clashes among supporters of different parties.

Governor Sutiyoso said on Tuesday that his administration would instead finance the establishment of joint posts for parties in each subdistrict. The post will be a center for representatives of each political party.

He did not specify the budget allocated for the posts.

Sutiyoso objected to the establishment of posts by individual parties, fearing that it would spark clashes among the supporters as happened in Buleleng, Bali, between the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party. Two people were killed in Sunday's incident.

He also argued that such posts, bedecked with various colors and flags, would spoil the beauty of the city.

"How many posts would have to be set up in the capital if all parties create their own?"

In the last election in 1999, thousands of posts were set up across the city.

The administration is waiting for the General Elections Commission's (KPU) decision on the number of parties to join next year's general elections.

Sutiyoso said that he would brief parties to discuss various issues including the campaign and the parties' flags. The administration has decided not to allow any political parties to place flags along major thoroughfares of Jl. Jend. Sudirman and Jl. M.H. Thamrin.

To avoid clashes among supporters, the governor urged big political parties including PDI Perjuangan, Golkar, National Mandate Party (PAN), National Awakening Party (PKB) and United Development Party (PPP) not to have a similar campaign schedule.

"We hope next year's general elections will be peaceful just like the 1999 election," he said.