Mega urges local govts to support KPU
Mega urges local govts to support KPU
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri urged regional authorities on
Monday to help the General Elections Commission (KPU) disseminate
information about presidential and vice presidential candidates
in the upcoming election.
She, however, stressed that regional leaders should not
influence the public at large to choose certain candidates.
"It is the obligation of governors, regents and mayors to
inform the people about the backgrounds, track records and
programs of candidates," Megawati told hundreds of the country's
local leaders.
"But we should not influence or force the people to choose
certain candidates, because people have their own moral
considerations to draw on when making their choices. What they
need is simply comprehensive information about programs and
personalities of the candidates," she said.
Five presidential candidates are eligible for the country's
first direct presidential election on July 5; incumbent Megawati
Soekarnoputri, Gen. (ret) Wiranto, People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) Speaker Amien Rais, Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and
current Vice President Hamzah Haz.
In the April 5 legislative election, Megawati's Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) garnered 19 percent of the
vote behind Golkar's 21.5 percent, but PDI-P's numbers were well
off the 34 percent it got in the 1999 election.
PDI-P blamed the defeat on several factors, including an
accusation that "certain government officials" (like mayors,
regents) abused their power and authority to ensure that "certain
political parties" received more votes than others in their
respective areas.
"I understand that each and everyone of you has a personal
political preference -- that is your right -- but as state
officials you also have the obligation to protect your people and
be fair to them," she stressed.
At the opening of the national meeting of regional
authorities, Megawati also said that each local government should
help the KPU in ensuring the success of the election.
She reminded them that Presidential Decree No.20/2004, which
authorizes local administrations to use extra funds to support
the election, remains the legal basis for local leaders to
support the election.
"There are several things that need to be improved in the
coming presidential election such as logistical issues, vote
counting and voter registration systems," the President said.
She emphasized that voters should not be deprived of their
right to vote, especially due to administrative mix-ups.
"We should find a solution for the people who are eligible to
vote but are not registered yet," Megawati said.
At the end of her speech, the President suggested that they
all immediately return to their respective provinces in time for
the campaign period beginning this Tuesday.