Nias becomes 'Golkar island'

MEDAN: Golkar politicians are so happy with the unexpectedly large turnout at their rallies last week in Nias that they are calling it "Golkar island".

North Sumatra Golkar campaign manager Maratua Simanjuntak said Saturday that "tens of thousands" of people had attended two Golkar rallies there last week.

But he said the media had not given the "fantastic" turnout adequate newspaper and television coverage.

"The size of the crowds were really startling," Antara quoted him as saying. "We sincerely hope that the mass media covers our future campaigns in Nias."

Golkar would send a cabinet minister to the island for its next rally to attract even bigger crowds on the small island in the Indian Ocean, he said. (pan)