PDI Perjuangan's communication posts to be regulated: Official
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)