Officials warned against campaigning

YOGYAKARTA: Mayor Herry Zudianto has warned some 8,000 civil servants in Yogyakarta that he would fire them if they participated in campaigns for political parties ahead of the 2004 elections.

"We will apply the policy in order to enforce the neutrality and independence of government officials in Yogyakarta. We will slap sanctions and even dismiss them if found guilty," he said on Sunday.

Herry said violators would be first reprimanded and given administrative sanctions. But if they were found a second time, they could be dismissed.

"Officials will eventually be dismissed if they are stubborn," he added.

He said the mayor, his deputy and secretary, as well as village heads could face similar punishment.

"The mayoralty administration belongs to every resident here and it must not side with any political party in elections," Herry asserted.