Governor says no to party posts

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.