Gubernatorial candidates vie in tightly contested election
Gubernatorial candidates vie in tightly contested election
Ainur R. Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya
Two pairs of rival candidates are struggling to grab the votes of
the military/police faction that could tip the balance in the
East Java gubernatorial election to be held here on Thursday.
The 10 votes from the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National
Police faction in the 100-member provincial legislative council
will determine the winner.
However, rumors circulated in the East Java capital of
Surabaya that the TNI/Police faction will lend full support to
incumbent governor Imam Utomo.
Utomo, paired with his secretary Soenarjo, has been nominated
by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
He has reportedly garnered at least 46 votes -- 31 from PDI
Perjuangan councillors and 15 from the coalition faction.
Rival pair of former deputy Jakarta governor Abdul Kahfi and
Ridwan Hisyam is reportedly supported by at least 44 councillors
-- 33 from the National Awakening Party (PKB) and 11 from Golkar
Party.
Sources told The Jakarta Post that Imam is poised to win the
election as a secret meeting of military and police councillors
with their superiors on Tuesday night decided to vote for the
incumbent governor.
The meeting at a hotel in Surabaya was attended by East Java's
Brawijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. A.D. Sikki, East Java
Police chief Insp. Gen. Heru Susanto and other high-ranking
officers.
"From the beginning, the TNI/Police faction has been committed
to supporting the candidate firmly connected to the people in
East Java, who understands their conditions and is able to
maintain stability," a source said.
The source was clearly referring to Utomo.
However, supporters of Kahfi dismissed the rumors, saying they
believe the 10 military and police councillors will be split in
the gubernatorial election.
They argued that the votes from the TNI/Police faction will
likely be shared to the two pairs of rival candidates in order to
ensure stability and balance.
"I am sure they will maintain the balance," said Wibisono, a
member of Kahfi's Success Team.
Since Monday, most of the 100 members of the council have been
"isolated" in separate hotels, making it difficult to contact
them for comments ahead of the election.
The legislators believed to support Utomo have been staying at
JW Marriot Hotel, and those supporting the Kahfi faction at
Sommerset Hotel.
Days ahead of the race, former president Abdurrahman Wahid of
PKB, House of Representative Speaker and Golkar chairman Akbar
Tandjung, senior leader of the National Mandate Party Fuad
Bawazier and other top national politicians held a meeting in
Surabaya to discuss the election.
It was apparently a vote-buying forum aimed at ensuring the
success of their candidates.
Meanwhile, the East Java Police chief said he had deployed
more personnel to provide security during Thursday's election.
He praised the East Java people for helping maintain stability
ahead of the race. "I hope this process will continue until the
electoral stages are completed."