Muslim-Christian pairings to contest poll
Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Poso, Central Sulawesi
In a bid to create a more enduring peace between Muslims and Christians in the conflict-prone Central Sulawesi regency of Poso, each party contesting the upcoming direct election for regent and deputy regent has proposed candidates who represent the two religions.
Dede K. Atmawijaya, a former Poso military district commander, and Lies Sigilipu, a local female reverend, will be vying for the regent and deputy regent posts under the banner of a coalition of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, the Patriot Pancasila Party and the Democratic Party.
The Christian-based Prosperous Peace Party have nominated retired police officer Piet Inkiriwang and his running mate local Muslim figure Muthalib for the election.
Other pairings are former Poso regent Abdul Muin Pusadan and Christian youth figure Osbert Yusran (the United Development Party), Christian figure Frans Sawolino and Muslim leader Abdul Kahar (the Patriot Pancasila Party), and former provincial legislature secretary Edy Bungkundapu and former Poso administration secretary Awal Al Amri (Golkar Party).
All candidates have signed a pledge to promote peace during the election.
Yasin Mangun, chief of the Regional Election Commission (KPUD), welcomed on Saturday the commitment to peace shown by the candidates.
"All candidates agree to appreciate differences among them and to avoid all kinds of violence during the election," he said.
The election will be preceded by a 14-day campaign period, starting on June 30.
The candidates also agreed not to use public facilities for their campaigns and to refrain from bribery and vote buying.
Furthermore, the candidates have pledged to uphold press freedom.
"In case of news reports deemed harmful, the candidates will abide by the existing mechanism of settlement through the press council, instead of resorting to violence," Yasin told The Jakarta Post.
Sporadic clashes and attacks have continued to take place since peace was restored in Poso to end bloody sectarian conflict that occurred between 2000 and 2002.
Observers have called for a delay in the regional elections in Poso and other conflict-prone areas, questioning the ability of security personnel to maintain peace and order.
The regional elections between June and July will select 226 regents or mayors and 11 governors.
Political analyst Irwan Waris said the nomination of Muslim- Christian candidates for the election would lead to permanent peace in Poso.
"This composition will prevent renewed sectarian conflict in Poso," said Irwan, a lecturer of Tadulako University's school of political and social sciences.
Another analyst Indra J. Piliang from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) agreed with Irwan, saying the regional election in Poso would serve as a test for peace- building attempts in the regency.
"I believe the election will stop the prolonged sectarian conflict in Poso if it runs smoothly in a democratic manner," Indra told the Post.