Sutiyoso saked to fulfill promise on neutrality

Sutiyoso saked to fulfill promise on neutrality

JAKARTA (JP): Representatives from two political parties asked
Governor Sutiyoso to carry out his promise to take over the 18
city-owned buildings currently occupied by the three political
parties which existed during the Soeharto regime.

Amir Hamzah of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and M. Taufik
of the Justice and Unity Party (PKP), told reporters on Wednesday
that Sutiyoso had to fulfill his promise if he wanted to prove
his administration's neutrality ahead of the June 7 general
election.

Amir, head of research and development at PAN's Jakarta
chapter, said if it could not take over the buildings, "the
administration could give contributions to the other 45 political
parties, such as giving funds for parties to rent buildings for
at least one year".

According to Amir, the administration must be facing
difficulties in executing Sutiyoso's promise to take over the
buildings.

The administration would, for example, face legal difficulties
in evicting the three political parties -- the United Development
Party (PPP), Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI)
-- from the buildings because they have permits issued by the
city administration to occupy the buildings for at least two more
years.

Taufik agreed that the administration should make the
situation more equitable, saying that compensation from the
administration did not have to be money to rent buildings, but
could be funding for campaigns.

"This form of assistance can be negotiated further," the
deputy chairman of PKP's Jakarta chapter said.

Amir and Taufik stated their opinions after attending a
meeting on the rules of the upcoming election campaign at City
Hall.

The governor repeatedly has vowed the administration would not
play favorites among parties contesting the general election.

To prove his vow, his administration stated it would take over
the 18 buildings currently occupied by PPP, PDI and Golkar.

According to administration data, Golkar occupies several
buildings in the city, including buildings located on Jl. Tanah
Tinggi and Jl. Pegangsaan Barat in Central Jakarta, Jl.
Komarrudin in East Jakarta, Jl. Srengseng Sawah in South Jakarta,
Jl. Rawa Lele in West Jakarta and Jl. Mindi in North Jakarta.

Buildings currently occupied by PPP are located on Jl. Taruna
in Central Jakarta, Jl. Jatinegara Kaum and Jl. Ngurah Rai in
East Jakarta, Jl. Jagakarsa in South Jakarta, Jl. H. Namin in
West Jakarta and Jl. Kampung Beting in North Jakarta.

Buildings occupied by PDI are located on Jl. Kalibaru Timur in
Central Jakarta, Jl. H. Naman in East Jakarta, Jl. Pasir in South
Jakarta, Jl. Kopti Semanan and Jl. Joglo Raya in West Jakarta and
Jl. Kesatriaan in North Jakarta.

Taufik also urged the governor to announce the status of civil
servants in his administration who decided to retain their seats
in political parties.

"Such action is needed so that people will know which civil
servants have chosen to join political parties to avoid the
possible misuse of their positions during the campaign."

Asked to comment on the demands, Sutiyoso said that he would
first wait for instructions from the central government.

"The case (of taking over the buildings) has to do with the
central government's policy. I can't make the policy on my own
because other provinces should also have the same policy."

"It's also the same with the demand to announce the names of
the civil servants who decided to join political parties." (ind)