Rallies allowed in public sites

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)