Sarwono takes Golkar message to north coast

JAKARTA (JP): Senior Golkar official Sarwono Kusumaatmadja went on the campaign trail in North Jakarta Wednesday, trumpeting the message that everyone in the area stood to gain from the government-sponsored Jakarta Waterfront Development Program.

Sarwono, who is State Minister of Environment, told an enthusiastic audience of around 2,000 people that the project was "a vast and very well-planned development" that would open opportunities in education, tourism and other fields.

The project involves the reclamation and development of 2,700 hectares along 32 kilometers of Jakarta Bay and improvements to 2,500 hectares of existing land in North Jakarta.

With the flair of a talk show host, Sarwono first introduced an official from the Regional Planning Board office to explain the project, also known as the Pantura reclamation project.

He then told the audience how the project would be a bonanza for the people of North Jakarta and that they should strive to reap the benefits.

"For instance, it will open business opportunities in the tourism industry, where people can benefit by opening homestays for tourists.

"This project will not only benefit big hotel chains. You can all take the opportunity to benefit from it. Do it by working together," he said, watched by North Jakarta mayor R. Suprawito.

Sarwono then introduced an ice vendor whose three children have managed to pursue their education to university level. This showed, he told the audience, that they also could "make things happen".

Eko, a 48-year-old resident of the Jl. Lodan neighborhood in North Jakarta, stepped toward Sarwono, shook his hand, and then shouted to the audience "Long live Golkar!"

The audience, mostly clad in yellow T-shirts and sporting red- and-white (the color of Indonesia's national flag) bandannas around their shoulders, went into raptures at the exclamation.

Sarwono's next "guests" were local Golkar officials. He made them pledge publicly their commitment to help people reap the project's benefits.

"Show the people Golkar's real programs, show them the people who they can cooperate with, show them that Golkar's work is real," Sarwono said. The Golkar officials pledged their commitment instantaneously.

The rally, which lasted about two hours, ended with all singing the patriotic song "Gebyar" and Sarwono calling on Golkar supporters to ask everyone to cooperate in developing the country.

"Don't be racist, don't politicize religion, find yourself honest people to work with and those who want to work hard.

"Election campaigns should be used by everyone to strengthen our national unity, instead of disintegrating it," he said in a fiery tone.

Sarwono called on all Golkar supporters at the rally to put down the Golkar flag and take up the national flag when campaigning resumes today.

The audience dispersed peacefully. No street processions were noticeable and only a few security forces were deployed in the vicinity of the rally venue. (aan)