PKS candidates sign pledge

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: A total of 75 legislative candidates from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) signed on Friday a contract in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi.

The contract, signed before a public notary, rules that the candidates have to fight corruption, to put the people's interests first and to practice religious tenets.

The candidates, in the contract, stated their readiness to accept sanctions or even dismissal, if they breached the contract.

The 75 candidates will compete for seats in the South Sulawesi provincial council in the upcoming elections.

"We are trying to create honest and dedicated politicians," said Anis Matta, the secretary-general of the party, who witnessed the signing.

He said that the party would continue this program in other provinces. Previously a similar contract was signed by candidates in the Central Java capital of Semarang and Yogyakarta. -- JP