No foreigners apply to observe the upcoming general election

JAKARTA (JP): No foreigners have so far expressed any interest to witness the May 29 election, but Indonesia is keeping its door open, an official said.

Sutoyo N.K., the director-general of sociopolitical affairs at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said here yesterday the government has yet to receive applications for permits to monitor the election.

"But we are keeping our door open. Anyone wishing to witness the election is welcome," Sutoyo said after accompanying the Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. attending a pre- campaign ceremony yesterday.

He said foreign observers wishing to witness the general election must ask for sociocultural visas from Indonesian embassies abroad.

"This also applies to those coming from countries which enjoy the tourist visa-free facility from the Indonesian government," he said, adding that after obtaining their visas, the foreigners still have to apply for a permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the General Election Institute.

The two institutions then issue identity cards to the foreigners, Sutoyo said. "They can then see the general election across the country."

The government previously said it would invite foreign observers to the poll. It later reversed its stance and said it had no plans to invite any foreigners. But from the start it said it would keep its doors open for foreigners wishing to witness the election.

Yogie said there was nothing wrong with the three political groups opening web sites and launching campaign activities on the Internet. "That's okay," he said.

He said there would be institutions responsible for the supervision of campaign themes on the Internet, probably from the police.

Some 124 million people are expected to cast their vote on May 29. They will elect members of the House of Representatives in the election, held once every five years.

The three political parties -- the United Development Party (PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) -- start campaigning Sunday. The campaign will end five days before the election. This five-day "cooling off" period is allocated for the General Election Committee to make final preparations for ballot day.

Yogie said the government is not worried about people who chose not to vote. "We have conducted a number of general elections, and have always managed to record voter turnouts of more than 90 percent," he said.

"The way I see it, the situation as we're getting closer to the general election looks fine. Okay, so there are shortcomings here and there, but that's normal and are usually the internal problems of a political party," he said. (imn/swe)