Journalists dumped for candidacy
PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: Fourteen journalists at Sriwijaya Post have been suspended since Tuesday because they had registered as candidates for the upcoming elections, according to a release available to the media on Thursday. The order was issued only two days before the election campaign kicked off on Thursday.
The 14 journalists have registered as legislative candidates and Regional Representative Council (DPD) candidates.
One of the 14 journalists is Soleh Thamrin, the chief editor of the newspaper, one of the largest in South Sumatra province.
According to the release, the 14 journalists will be suspended until further notification by the management of the company.
But, another large paper in South Sumatra, the Sumatra Express imposed a different ruling. It requested its editorial staff to resign if they plan on running in the election.
Two have already resigned, namely Mardani and Imam Ghazali. -- Antara
;JP;ASA; ANPAa..r.. Trail-Medan-victims Governor will pay for campaign victims JP/5/MEDAN
Governor will pay for campaign victims
MEDAN, North Sumatra: T. Rizal Nurdin, the governor of North Sumatra, promised on Thursday that all victims of violence or accidents during the election campaign in North Sumatra province would receive free medical treatment.
"It has become the responsibility of the government," he said.
The first day of campaigning in Medan claimed its first victim. Andre Arial, 35, was electrocuted and died as he was trying to hang a banner on a live electric wire for Dimardi Abbas, a DPD candidate. -- JP
;JP;ASA; ANPAa..r.. Sidelines-Kendal-record Campaign drive breaks record JP/3/RECORD
Campaign drive breaks record
KENDAL, Central Java: An estimated 100,000 people locked arms along Kendal regency's main street on Thursday, as part of a peaceful campaign drive.
The line of people was 31 kilometers long, breaking a previous record last year, when drug company PT Kimia Farma mobilized some 4,000 people to lock arms in the regency.
The new record was registered by Indonesian Record Museum based in Semarang. The drive, initiated by Kendal regent Hendy Budoro, mostly involved members of political parties, students and other elements of Kendal society.
The people stood side-by-side from downtown Kendal to the Old Bus Terminal in the Weleri district. During the event, Hendy and other regency officials drove along the route cheering on the folks. -- JP
;JP;ASA; ANPAa..r.. Sidelines-Papua-PKB-TVRI PKB pauses campaign for late 'TVRI' JP/5/TVRI
PKB pauses campaign for late 'TVRI'
JAYAPURA, Papua: Apparently for the National Awakening Party (PKB), state-owned television network TVRI, holds an important place in their hearts.
"Brothers and sisters, we will soon start our campaign activities. But, we have to wait for the TVRI journalists first," said a singer on stage, where PKB officials were scheduled to make campaign speeches on Thursday.
Most of the adults waited patiently, but all the youths began rushing the stage, so that they could get their 15 minutes of fame when the TVRI cameraman arrived.
Waiting for TVRI is important, said the leader of the Jayapura branch of PKB, Edy Kardjo.
"If we get on TVRI, it means that our campaign speeches will be seen by a nationwide audience," Edy astutely deduced.
Edy called the TVRI journalists several times and seemed confused. But, he finally breathed a sigh of relief after he had confirmation that they were on the way to the PKB stage.
"TVRI is getting special treatment," complained one local print journalist, named Charlie. -- JP