Senior civil servant violates election law

Senior civil servant violates election law

YOGYAKARTA: Despite the order from the home minister for all
civil servants to remain neutral during the elections, the regent
of Sleman in Yogyakarta openly stated on Thursday his support for
President Megawati Soekarnoputri in the Sept. 20 runoff.

Sleman regent Ibnu Subiyanto said he endorsed Megawati for
what he called Megawati's impressive performance during her three
years in office.

"I support her not because I am member of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), but because she could run
the government well and promote the public's interests," he was
quoted by Antara news agency as saying. Megawati chairs the PDI-
P.

Election Law No. 23/2003 says all government officials and
members of state institutions must not act in favor or against
any candidate. The violation is punishable by a term of up to six
months of jail term and up to a Rp 6 million fine. -- Antara