Party supporters told to be gracious losers

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman urged political party leaders on Saturday to help maintain calm in the capital during the scheduled official announcement of elections results on Monday.

In a meeting with executives from political parties' Jakarta chapters, Noegroho said he hoped party supporters accepted elections results and did not cause any disturbances.

"I hope the leaders of the parties present at the meeting here can control their supporters and keep them from making trouble after the announcement of the final results," he said.

The two-star general said police had received information that certain groups in the city, upset at their parties poor showing in the polls, would attack supporters of certain political parties in an attempt to cause unrest.

According to Noegroho, these groups could become upset if the supporters of victorious parties held rallies and caused disturbances.

Jakarta residents have been pleased with the absence of unrest during the elections and hope the calm is maintained, he said.

"Despite reports of elections violations, generally the polls ran in a fair and just manner. So I hope the parties, especially their supporters, can accept the results," he said.

Noegroho reiterated that police would take stern action against anyone who caused a disturbance in the city.

"But first, we would ask party executives to take action against supporters holding rallies or protests, according to the law," he said.

Final elections results are scheduled to be announced by the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Many people fear that supporters of losing parties will take to the streets to protest their defeat and cause unrest in the city.

Several minor parties reportedly will reject the elections results, claiming their parties' poor showing in the elections was the result of elections violations.

Scheduled rally

The parties reportedly will deploy their supporters in a massive rally on Monday to protest the poll results.

Some of the smaller political parties, which have failed to gain a single seat in the House of Representatives, have held rallies in front of the KPU office in Central Jakarta.

Noegroho said on Monday police would attempt to contain any disturbances to prevent city residents from becoming concerned.

"Our meeting today is aimed at reaching an understanding between political parties and security authorities," he said.

Noegroho said police would not deploy additional officers to maintain security during the announcement of the elections results, saying that deploying members of the People's Security civilian militia was enough.

Police also hope political parties' security forces will help maintain security in the city, he said.

During the polls, as many as 62,363 officers were deployed to secure the city. The officers consisted of 6,051 soldiers, 16,360 police officers and 39,952 civilian militia members, as well as other civilian forces. (jun)