Parties not to intimidate newsmen

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Representatives of 23 political parties in South Kalimantan signed on Saturday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that bans intimidation and violence toward the media while journalists were covering election events.

The signing of the MoU was done in the provincial police headquarters and witnessed by provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Dody Sumantyawan, officials from the South Kalimantan General Elections Commission and officials from the province's Elections Supervisory Committee.

The MOU also prohibited the members of political parties from carrying offensive weapons and getting involved in violence during the campaign period in the upcoming general election.

Dody said that, having signed the MOU, there was no guarantee that members of political parties would heed it.

The MOU could not guarantee either that the election would run smoothly and without violence.

"But at least, the political parties have agreed on the MOU and have promised that they would not resort to violence in the election. We shall always demand that they stick to the terms of the MOU so that they keep their promise," he said. -- Antara