Political parties told to help make city safe

JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman has urged political parties eligible to take part in the June 7 general election to help maintain security in the capital, especially during the campaign period.

Speaking in front of representatives of the Jakarta chapters of 47 political parties on Tuesday, Noegroho reiterated that the capital's security was not the sole responsibility of the police or the Armed Forces (ABRI).

All political parties are expected to take part in safeguarding the capital during the campaign period and election day, he said.

"We all noticed that even though there were three events held by three different groups in the capital on Sunday, no incidents or conflicts were reported. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), nothing happened," Noegroho said, referring to a fun bike mass rally by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), a Golkar rally to declare it had become a political party and a long march by Muslims to protest violence in Ambon.

The government announced on Thursday that 48 political parties were qualified to contest the general election.

Representatives of 47 of the political parties attended the gathering at city police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman in South Jakarta. Representatives from PDI Perjuangan did not attend.

"We (as law enforcers) welcome you for passing the selection to contest the upcoming general election," Noegroho said.

The two-star general urged the parties to prepare their own security groups, who should consult with city police whenever they wanted to hold political gatherings or events.

Noegroho said a previous massive gathering held by PDI Perjuangan had been well-coordinated among themselves and in cooperation with city police.

Not many security personnel -- from the already limited number -- were deployed at the event as PDI Perjuangan's own security members could handle it, he said.

"The police only deployed several personnel to direct traffic around the event's venue to avoid heavy traffic congestion," Noegroho said.

Also attending Tuesday's gathering at police headquarters was the chief of city police intelligence, Col. Aris Sampurnojati, who explained about major incidents in the general election in 1997.

Aris expressed fear that June's general election would be marked by more incidents than the 1997 elections, in which only three parties took part. Many violations were recorded during the 1997 campaign period.

The three parties contesting the previous general election were the ruling Golongan Karya (Golkar), United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

The violations which took place included illegal banner placements, the use of official vehicles for campaigning, exceeding the campaign period limit, insults to other parties and defamation of high-ranking officials.

"We hope these violations will not be repeated in the next general election," he said.

Violations recorded in the 1997 election period also included damage to public facilities or private property, the beating of opposing party members, robbery and picking pockets.

"We can see how the crime rate has jumped at present, so we'd like to remind you that during campaigns and several days before election day, 'hoodlums' may take the opportunity to operate," Aris told the party representatives.

Police data shows that in the last general election, 17 people were killed during the campaigning period, 25 were severely injured and 16 others were lightly injured.

Both Noegroho and Aris pledged to treat parties contesting the general election equally before the law.

"Regardless of whether you're from a small and new party, if you have any trouble concerning law and police just come to me. We're open to everybody," Noegroho said. (emf)