Govt warns of legal recourse for allies of instability

Govt warns of legal recourse for allies of instability

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Putting down its foot in the face of political plots to reject
the election results, the government has threatened to take legal
action against those who orchestrated such a move.

In a teleconference with top officials of 30 provinces on
Wednesday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri asked the regional
administrations to uphold security and order and stay calm in the
case of provocation from political alliances against the
election.

"Should the political alliance grow and spark instability, we
will take legal measures against them," interim coordinating
minister for political and security affairs Hari Sabarno said
after the teleconference.

The minister was referring to the 17 political parties that
recently launched a joint protest against the General Elections
Commission (KPU) for alleged violations that had occurred before
and after election day on April 5.

Earlier, the political parties -- most of which had failed to
garner 2 percent of votes as of Wednesday's tally -- had
announced that they would reject the poll results and demand a
revote.

The announcement immediately received harsh criticisms from
the public, including non-governmental organizations, researchers
and religious leaders, for rejecting the people's efforts to
conduct a peaceful and fair election.

During their meeting on Tuesday, the KPU and the 24 parties
contesting the election agreed only to recount votes in several
areas to minimize possibilities of fraud.

Hari said even international observers had given credit to the
people for the free, fair and peaceful legislative election.

"If foreigners can give us a thumbs-up, then our own people
should have a better perspective," the minister said.

National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar underlined that legal
measures would be taken against any and all parties trying to
cause instability.

"I am not going to identify any specific groups, but as a law
enforcer, I will definitely take action against anyone who
threatens the country's security," Da'i said.

He denied he was sending a warning to opposition groups,
saying he was merely calling on parties to reconsider any
statements that could confuse the people.

"I respect their right to speak and voice their opinion, but
they should not try to provoke people to join their movement,"
the four-star general said.

During the teleconference, Megawati also raised the issue of
eligible voters who were not able to exercise their right to vote
due to administrative shortcomings.

"Recalling that these same problems also occurred in the
previous election, the government will open between April 25 and
May 10 a new registration period for those who could not exercise
their right to vote in the legislative election," she said.

Megawati stressed that the people's right to vote should be
respected and that regional administrations should support the
new registration period.