Jakartans told to use their right to vote

Jakartans told to use their right to vote

JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata called
on all Jakartans yesterday to exercise their right to vote in
next year's general election.

"We hope all residents will be willing to cast their ballots
properly in the upcoming election," he told reporters after
replacing the head of the Central Jakarta police precinct.

"I think all of us want the 1997 general election to proceed
smoothly. We must improve on the elections in the past," said the
two-star general.

By using their right properly, the public will avoid those
intending to disturb the election from carrying out their
mission.

According to the Jakarta Election Committee, a total of
7,453,416 Jakartans have been registered as voters for the 1997
general election.

The number of voters, said the committee's secretary Bagus
Suharyono, is 46.02 percent higher than the 5,104,473 voters
registered at the last general election, in 1992.

The committee recorded a total of 9,851,467 people currently
living in the capital.

The voters will vote for 18 legislators in the House of
Representatives and 75 city councilors.

Hamami also stressed that the police would not condone any
efforts to disrupt the election," he said.

According to the officer, a large number of the 16,000
personnel in the Greater Jakarta police force are currently
taking part in an intensive training program learning a wide
range of skills, including how to face demonstrators.

"They even got real practice during the mass brawls and
vandalism committed by football supporters here last weekend,"
said Hamami after the inauguration ceremony.

Hamami installed Lt. Col. Muhammad Ibrahim as new head of the
Central Jakarta police precinct, to replace Col. Abubakar
Nataprawira who is promoted to head the Palembang police in South
Sumatra.

Ibrahim was previously head of the North Jakarta police. (bsr)