Hatta charged with poll offense

BANDUNG: Hatta Radjasa, a legislative candidate for the National Mandate Party (PAN), has been accused of the misuse of public facilities for campaign purposes.

The campaign activity on Thursday was not directly carried out by Hatta, who is also the State Minister of Research and Technology, but by his wife Oktiniwati Ulfa Dariah.

Ulfa offered free medical service at Pasundan community health center on Jl. Pasundan in Bandung municipality, along with another PAN candidate Mariana Deden.

Staff members of the health center said that Ulfa, Mariana and their entourage suddenly descended on the health center and unfurled a banner reading: "Welcome Mrs. Hatta Radjasa."

The group, wearing T-shirts bearing PAN symbols, also distributed party paraphernalia, including cigarette packs bearing the picture of PAN chairman Amien Rais. The free medical service was available for two hours.

Tata, a staff member of the health center, said that the health center accepted the presence of the PAN members, saying that they flocked to the health center with goodwill, providing free medical services for locals. In total, Ulfa and Mariana shouldered the cost of medical services for 47 patients at the health center on Thursday.

However, the campaign activity was spotted by officials from the Bandung Election Supervisory Committee (Panwasda) and General Elections Commission (KPUD).

Heri Safari, a KPUD official, said that Hatta and Mariana Deden had violated an election law, which carries a maximum sentence of three months in prison. -- JP