Governor vows to break tradition

Governor vows to break tradition

SURABAYA: East Java Governor Imam Utomo reiterated on Tuesday
that he would no longer attend gatherings held by mass
organizations or political parties, as was the "tradition" during
the New Order era.

"Nowadays a governor is not affiliated with mass organizations
and is not necessarily a member of a certain political party.

"A gubernatorial position has no direct involvement with such
groupings and therefore a governor should not be meddling in the
affairs of these organizations. Such a gesture is outdated," Imam
said.

The governor apparently was responding to public criticism
that he failed to accept invitations to attend events held by
political parties and mass organizations.

"The only time I had to show up, according to the rules of
protocol, was when I accompanied Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri to a PDI Perjuangan (Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle) regional meeting in Madiun.

"You can check ... I have no double standards. I did not even
attend meetings held by Nahdlatul Ulama and its task force and
youth wing, Banser and GP Ansor," Imam said.

The governor said he would attend seminars and other
discussions that were "enlightening and open to the public".
(nur/edt)