PDI Perjuangan's communication posts to be regulated: Official

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration plans to regulate the installation of communication posts affiliated with political parties as many of them are set up in prohibited zones, an official said on Tuesday.

Toha Reno, head of the public facility orderliness section of the city public order office, said systematic establishment of the posts was needed because many of the installations were erected in the city's green belt area.

He said many political parties had made use of public facilities, mainly sidewalks and green areas in order to establish the communication posts.

"Besides breaking existing regulations on public order, utilizing public places for such a purpose also ruins the city's beauty. Moreover, in certain areas the posts' lighting is taken from street lights."

Political parties, most notably the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), have built thousands of communication posts, better known as Posko Gotong Royong (cooperative command posts), across the country and throughout the capital.

Toha said his office was yet to count the number of posts in the city, but that PDI Perjuangan's posts alone were estimated at about 2,500.

The operation against the establishment of posts would be conducted by public order officers. Action would only be taken if the parties concerned refused to follow the administration's requests, Toha said.

"We will do it all in proper time," he said without giving details about the operation.

Toha said in February the administration sent warning letters to PDI Perjuangan's Jakarta chapter, asking the party to demolish posts not erected in suitable locations.

He acknowledged that so far the letters were sent only to PDI Perjuangan because most of the posts were affiliated with the party.

Responding to the request in March, PDI Perjuangan representatives refused to demolish the posts on the ground that the constructions were not of a permanent nature.

"The posts establishment is used to reinforce the security system which was crippled during the massive May riots last year... The post's existence has also helped security personnel," the Jakarta chapter's letter said.

Toha said the administration was committed to the regulation and would not be swayed by any excuse.

Asked why the administration did not take action until long after the posts had mushroomed, Toha said that at first city officials were not aware about the violation and initially people living near the posts did not complain.

He acknowledged that implementing the order would be difficult because it was not only about the city's policy but also related to political issues. (ind)