Joint parade to kick-off start of campaigning

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso, along with a number of cabinet ministers, high-ranking officials, foreign diplomats and political party leaders, will witness on Wednesday the kick-off ceremony of the joint float parade of 48 parties contesting the June poll.

The ceremony at the Monas Square in Central Jakarta, which will mark the first day of the May 19 - June 4 campaigning period, will also be attended by executives of the General Election Commission (KPU), National Election Committee (PPI), Elections Monitoring Committee (Panwaslu) and a wide number of organizations, including the Jakarta Chapter of Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chairman of the Jakarta Provincial Elections Committee (PPD I) Djafar Badjeber repeatedly aired his wish that the joint parade, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will end peacefully.

According to the latest announcement from PPD I, the parade will only involve a small number of people carried in open-backed vehicles of four tires at least. Vehicles will be decorated with flowers, red-and-white national flags and attributes, such as posters, banners and billboards of the respective party's slogans and symbols.

Each of the 48 parties are allowed to enter only five floats for the parade, which is aimed to help set up a friendly and peaceful situation during the campaigning weeks.

Only one driver, a security guard and two people are allowed in each of the vehicles. The two people will act as models for the respective party.

The vehicles are expected to arrive at the Square from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the kick-off ceremony starting at 11:00 a.m.

From Monas Square, the float parade will be divided into five groups, each with one vehicle from each party.

Each of the groups will be led by a police car and an ambulance, touring one of the city's five mayoralties until 4:30 p.m.

Each float group will end the journey at the respective Mayoralty Elections Committee (PPD II) office.

The group heading to Central Jakarta will pass through Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. Rasuna Said, Jl. Imam Bonjol, Jl. Diponegoro, Jl. Salemba, Jl. Pramuka, Jl. A. Yani (By Pass), Jl. Suprapto, Jl. Kramat Bunder, Jl. Pasar Senen, Jl. Gunung Sahari, Jl. KH Samanhudi, Jl. Sukarjo Wiryopranoto, Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Jl. Gajah Mada, Jl. KH Hasyim Ashari, Jl. Biak, Jl. Musi, Jl. Tanah Abang 2, Jl. Abdul Muis and finish at the Central Jakarta PPD II office.

The floats touring the North Jakarta area will go through Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman, with a U-turn at Semanggi cloverleaf back to Jl. Sudirman, Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Jl. Majapahit, Jl. Juanda, Jl. Pos. Jl. Dr. Sutomo, Jl. Gunung Sahari, Jl. R.E. Martadinata, Jl. Enggano, Jl. Sulawesi, Jl. Pelabuhan Raya, Jl. Cilincing, Jl. Kramat Jaya, Jl. Pliumang Semper, Jl. Yos Sudarso, and finish at the North Jakarta PPD II office.

The parade for East Jakarta will also start by passing through Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. M.T. Haryono, Jl. Sutoyo, Jl. Bogor Raya, Jl. Gedong, Jl. Condet Raya, Jl. Dewi Sartika, Jl. Otista and finish at the East Jakarta PPD II office.

The group touring South Jakarta will go through Jl. M.H.. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Sisingamangaraja, Jl. Panglima Polim, Jl. Fatmawati, Jl. TB Simatupang, Jl. Pasar Minggu Raya, Jl. Haji Samali, Jl. Warung Jati Timur, Jl. Mampang Prapatan, Jl. Kapten Tendean and finish at the South Jakarta PPD II office.

The remaining West Jakarta float group will travel through Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jl. Palmerah Utara, Jl. Palmerah Barat, Jl. Kebayoran Lama, Jl. Pos Pengumben, Jl. Joglo Raya, Jl. Meruya Udik, Jl. Meruya Ilir, Jl. Perjuangan (Panjang), Jl. Daan Mogot, Jl. Lingkar Luar Barat, Jl. Kembangan Raya and finish at the West Jakarta PPD II office.

Punishment for any parties whose fans are found violating set rules are not known at this time. (bsr)