'People have low political awareness'

'People have low political awareness'

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Commander of the Tanjungpura regional military command, Maj. Gen. Namuri Anoem, said on Saturday that the people of East Kalimantan have low political awareness.

He said that, of the 4.4 million voting cards damaged during the 1992 general elections, almost 60,000 were found in the pool booths in the province.

"This is why the Armed Forces do not only have the task of guarding the 1997 elections, but also of educating and promoting the public's political awareness," he said, as quoted by Antara.

"The people (should be taught) to understand their rights and duties as good citizens, and to use their rights to vote in the coming elections," he said. (swe)