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.