Three parties to cooperate for polls' success
JAKARTA (JP): Three rival political parties pledged on Thursday to cooperate to foil any attempt by any parties to disrupt the June 7 elections. They also called on proreform parties to be wary of "dirty tricks" launched by pro-status quo elements.
The secretaries-general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), National Awakening Party (PKB) and Justice and Unity Party (PKP) said unrest and terror across the country were planned by elements to invoke public fear and undermine the elections.
"The current situation is very dangerous to the existence of the reform movement," Iskandar Muhaimin of PKB said after the three parties' informal meeting. He said people were now envisioning a chaotic election rather than a free and fair one.
He cited the recent bombing of the Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta as well as the riots in Ambon and West Kalimantan as dirty tricks by pro-status quo groups to undermine people's support for the polls.
"Therefore, all proreform parties have to join hands, down to the grass roots level, in order to help avoid provocation and conflicts."
Alex Litaay of PDI Perjuangan concurred, saying if the polls were delayed or even canceled, "it means the reform movement has lost the battle".
Hayono Isman of PKP emphasized the importance of each party informing its followers about unity and nationhood issues.
"We are very glad that currently Muslims are not as easily provoked (even) after a horrible incident such as the Istiqlal bombing," he said.
The three party leaders admitted to having frequent meetings and to sharing information and strategies.
"We have conducted meetings like this also with PAN (the National Mandate Party led by Amien Rais)," Hayono said.
Iskandar indicated the three parties might name a single presidential candidate after the June 7 polls.
"Currently we are in a stage of synchronizing perspectives and strategies to beat the status quo forces," he said.
Concrete measures such as supporting each other in the forthcoming campaigning period were planned, he said.
"We may have a joint campaign in several provinces."
Alex cited several incidents of cheating uncovered in North Sumatra and several areas in Java during his visits to the regions.
"In some plantations workers have been pressured to vote for a certain party. Some subdistrict chiefs are still mobilizing civil servants.
"I think it is hard for Golkar to let go of its bad habits which have been in force for over 30 years."
Separately, in Cilacap, Central Java, the local branch of PDI Perjuangan rejected a plan by Golkar to hold a meeting, scheduled for May 2. Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung is scheduled to address the rally.
"We ask police not to give permission to such a meeting because it could lead to chaos the way it did in Purbalingga recently," said Franz Lukman, head of the Cilacap chapter of PDI Perjuangan, referring to a clash between followers of the two parties. (edt/45/34)