Jakarta happy with no-street campaigns

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration and all provincial chapters of political parties contesting the June general election here praised the General Elections Commission's (KPU) ruling banning campaign rallies in the streets.

Governor Sutiyoso told reporters on Tuesday he was happy with KPU's decision as it would limit the possibility of clashes between party supporters during the street rallies.

"It (the ruling) is very good, indeed. Our present condition is too vulnerable for any kind of clashes to occur," the three- star active Army general said.

"I think we should also learn from past experiences, when we had only three political parties, and street campaigns were accepted. Then, tension and disturbances were frequent. Today, we have more contestants than before," Sutiyoso said, referring to the 48 parties contending the general election.

According to Tongam Tambunan from the city's public order office, the banning of street campaigns would ease the burden on his 600 personnel assigned to secure the city during the 16-day campaign period starting on May 20.

"The possibility of clashes will be bigger as there will be several parties campaigning in the streets on the same day," Sutiyoso has said.

The view held by the governor was repeated by representatives of the Jakarta chapters of the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the Golkar Party. They all welcomed the KPU ruling, saying street rallies would only cause public anxiety.

The head of research and development at PAN's Jakarta chapter, Amir Hamzah, said that rallying on the streets was "useless".

"It would be much better if the campaigning could be carried out in the form of debates, which would display the ability and thoughts of the party leaders," Amir said.

For that purpose, he said, PAN's Jakarta chapter has equipped its members with knowledge of party policies to ready them for debating campaigns.

Other Jakarta party heads, including PDI's Lukman Mokoginta, Golkar's Tadjus Sobirin, and PPP's Djafar Badjeber, also supported the idea of campaigns based on dialog.

"Our party has enough experience in any kind of campaign, that's why we will follow whatever regulation is passed," Djafar said.

Separately, the chairman of the Jakarta Chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Punky B. Purwadi, refused to comment on KPU's decision on the upcoming campaigns.

Shoe polisher Juanto was more outspoken.

He said he preferred to see street campaigns in the city. "For me, it's just like a party. We can go here and there without paying (transportation fares). Or we will, instead, get money," he said.

Meanwhile, Djafar, in his capacity as chairman of the Provincial Elections Committee (PPD I) for the city on Tuesday vowed to make the election registration process easier for Jakartans.

According to the committee, voter registration in the capital would be conducted from March 5 to May 5. Djafar said residents with identification cards that had expired would "still be allowed" to vote in the polls.

"The move was taken because there are too many Jakartans who have a lack of awareness of their own private documents," he said.

However, Djafar said the committee had not yet decided how to deal with city residents who had no official city-issued identification.

"We should first consult with the National Elections Committee (PPI)."

PPD I will inaugurate members of the Regional Elections Committee (PPD II) in the capital on April 1, the District Elections Committee (PPK) on April 3, and the Local Elections Committee (PPS) on the following day. (ind)