Possible tension ahead of E. Java elections

ID Nugroho and Wahyoe Boediwardhana ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Lumajang, Malang   |  Thu, 04/24/2008 12:35 AM  |  The Archipelago

Poll officials are concerned about potential friction ahead of the gubernatorial election in East Java, especially at the grassroots level, due to the synchronous schedule with regency elections, an internal rift within the National Awakening Party (PKB) and shifting political party coalitions.

The East Java gubernatorial election, scheduled for July 23, is likely to be heated given the political climate.

In addition, four regencies in East Java -- Malang, Bondowoso, Jombang and Lumajang -- are scheduled to hold regency elections simultaneously.

The East Java chapter of the General Elections Commission (KPUD) sees the gubernatorial and regency elections as a potential problem due to shifts in political alliances on the provincial and regency levels.

East Java KPUD member Didik Prasetyono told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday the commission was anticipating possible problems.

The party coalitions nominating the East Java governor hopefuls are unset.

Currently, the Democratic Party (PD) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) alliance is backing Soekarwo and Syaifullah Yusuf as its candidates. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has nominated Soetjipto and Ridwan Hisyam, the Golkar Party has named Soenaryo and Ali Maschan Moesa, and the PKB, affiliated with Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid has proposed Ahmadi.

In Lumajang regency, the party coalition map is less clear. Golkar Party and PAN are poised to join forces and nominate Indah Pakarti as regent candidate. The PDI-P is banking on Umar Basar in the race.

The Democratic Party and the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) alliance has yet to name its candidate, while the PKB, with the most seats in the Lumajang legislature with 15, is still waiting for the rift between Gus Dur and Muhaimin Iskandar to settle.

Lumajang KPUD head Munir also senses potential threats given party coalition differences. He said his office was doing what it could to prevent conflicts during the governor and regency elections.

"We view the problems to be the same, thus we will prevent any possible tension," Munir told the Post.

Despite the "relaxed" atmosphere ahead of the elections, Bondowoso KPUD head Muhammad Muniri expressed similar concern due to the close proximity between Lumajang and Bondowoso.

"So far, the PKB is the only party to nominate four of its candidates," said Muniri.

Strangely enough, the PKB's Bondowoso chapter has not been influenced by the rift between Gus Dur and Muhaimin at the party's central executive board.

The East Java KPUD decided in a meeting to take several anticipatory steps, such as prohibiting outdoor campaign rallies in the four cities where regency elections will be held, but giving candidates the opportunity to campaign in nearby cities.

In Lumajang, the campaign schedule for candidates contesting the gubernatorial election will be moved to Jember, while campaigning scheduled for Bondowoso will be moved to Situbondo.

"We will also rotate the schedules so candidates will not meet in the same city," said Didik Parsetyono.

In Malang, the political climate is getting hotter ahead of the mayoral election slated for July. An unidentified group on Sunday reportedly pelted rocks at the house of a campaign team leader for one of the mayoral candidates nominated by the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

The PKS has nominated party member Ahmad Subchan, currently a member of the East Java legislature, in the mayoral election.

Posters and signboards for Subchan were torn down several times during the past week.

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