Journalists dumped for candidacy

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