Jakarta records 960 traffic violations on 1st day of campaign
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.