Jakarta records 960 traffic violations on 1st day of campaign

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Jakarta Police recorded 960 traffic violations on Thursday as political parties held a joint parade in the city to mark the first day of the election campaign.

"The violations were largely committed by party supporters on motorbikes," said Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Ishak. "Many of the motorists failed to wear helmets. Some were carrying too many passengers."

Police fined 510 of the 960 violators, letting the remaining 450 go with verbal warnings.

"Most of the violators were fined after the parade was over," Sulistyo said.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara said that despite the traffic violations, the first day of the campaign period was peaceful.

"I saw that everybody in the parade was happy and smiling," he said. "So, I can conclude everything went fine."

A total of 24 political parties are taking part in this year's legislative election. Despite the parade, which wound its way throughout the city, the much feared traffic gridlock never materialize in much of the capital.

Separately, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar told officers to maintain the peace during the campaign.

He also urged civilian guards from the different parties to prevent their supporters from destroying the flags and posters of other parties.

"We are worried that parties with large numbers of supporters campaigning on the same day as other parties could cause problems," he said.

In a bid to improve security coordination between the National Police Headquarters and the headquarters of provincial police departments, the National Police have arranged a regular teleconference at their headquarters in Jakarta, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Soenarko D.A. said on Thursday.

"Through this regular teleconference, all of the provincial police chiefs will be able to report security conditions without having to fly to Jakarta," he said.

The first teleconference was held on Thursday morning, during which Gen. Da'i Bachtiar gave orders to the 30 provincial police chiefs.

Soenarko added that at 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, the National Police received reports about security during the first day of the campaign from all of the provincial police chiefs.

"The reports said that all the security forces were ready, the situation was under control and all the campaign activities were taking place according to the schedule of the KPU (the General Elections Commission)," he said.

The legislative election will be held on April 5, followed by the presidential election on July 5, with a second round on Sept. 5 if necessary.