Rallies allowed in public sites

JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) ruled on Monday that political rallies would be permitted in public places, and the number of participants would not be limited.

Commission members last week proposed that the code of conduct on election campaigning, which was endorsed on Monday, restrict the size of rallies. In response to fears of rallies becoming violent, it was suggested that they be limited to a maximum of 10,000 people. In the past, rallies of tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of people, were not uncommon.

Other commission members said rulings limiting the size of gatherings and prohibiting street rallies, as were affected in the 1997 polls, were unfair to new parties.

Chairman of the National Elections Committee, Jacob Tobing, said Monday: "What's important is that campaign sites should be marked clearly," so that supporters could be effectively "secured".

The Code of Conduct stressed that police and political party leaders would be responsible for the safety of supporters traveling to and from campaign sites.

In Semarang, residents said they were fearful each weekend in anticipation of party rallies.

"Security personnel must be firm to control rallies which disturb other road users," Semarang resident Sulomo said. He said political supporters once battered his vehicle with flag staffs to get him to make way.

"With only five vehicles, they fill up the road. Besides, those people often say dirty words to people who don't do what they demand," he added.

A political party member, Suparno, said police have failed to take action against such supporters. Businesses in Semarang close whenever a rally is expected.

Semarang Police chief Lt. Col. Matius Salempang said the rallies were held without police permission, and were "wild".

He denied that police took no action, saying he had urged party leaders to control their members and supporters. (rms/har)