Party supporters not ready to quit, verdict protested
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Supporters of Badrul Kamal of the Golkar Party took to the streets of Depok on Thursday to protest a Supreme Court decision declaring Nur Mahmudi Ismail of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) the winner of the mayoral election over Badrul.
The protest by about 300 supporters of Badrul and running mate Syihabuddin Achmad took place in front of the Depok General Elections Commission (KPUD) office and City Hall
Protesters burned tires, T-shirts carrying pictures of Nur Mahmudi and PKS banners in front of City Hall on Jl. Margonda Raya. Some protesters also hurled rocks, water bottles and other items at the building.
Protesters earlier gathered in front of the KPUD office on Jl. Raya Sawangan. They denounced the commission for asking the Supreme Court to review a decision by the West Jakarta High Court declaring Badrul the winner of the June 26 mayoral election.
"We are protesting here because the KPUD violated regulations by submitting a case review to the Supreme Court," said the deputy secretary of Golkar's Depok chapter, Tjetjep Iskandar, during the protest.
KPUD Depok originally declared Nur Mahmudi the winner of the election. Badrul appealed that decision to the West Java High Court, which declared Badrul the winner of the election.
The Supreme Court issued a final and binding decision on the election dispute two weeks ago, overturning the high court decision.
Under the watchful eyes of some 30 police officers, Badrul's supporters protested in front of the KPUD office beginning at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m. they marched to City Hall, some two kilometers away from the KPUD office. The protest broke up at about noon.
Apart from the burning of tires and T-shirts, and the rocks and water bottles thrown at City Hall, there was no violence during the protest, which was supported by Golkar, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Mandate Party (PAN).
During a protest last Wednesday, there was a minor clash between supporters of Badrul and Nur Mahmudi.
The chairman of the PKS faction in the Depok City Council, Qurtifa Wijaya, said the Supreme Court's decision was final and should be respected by all sides in the dispute.
"Differences of opinion over the result of the Depok mayoral election are part of the democratic process, but everyone in Depok must respect the Supreme Court's decision and unite to develop the municipality," he was quoted as saying by Antara.
Meanwhile, lawyers for KPUD Depok asked the Supreme Court to deliver a copy of its verdict to the West Java High Court, so it could be conveyed to the KPUD.
"If the Supreme Court will not hand over a copy of the verdict, we will go to the Supreme Court and file an official request today or tomorrow (Friday)," said lawyer Absar Kartadibrata.