Party supporters told to be gracious losers
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)