Nana Rukmana, Cirebon – The Cirebon Non-governmental Coalition (KLC) has urged eligible voters not to vote for politicians who are insensitive toward environmental issues in the 2009 legislative election.
"The campaign is part of our efforts to raise awareness on the importance of environmental affairs as well as a political education means for the public. We hope people would not vote for politicians who are irresponsible toward environmental issues," said KLC coordinator Yoyon Suharyono on Monday.
Yoton said KLC was comprised of NGOs and environmentalists from various elements of society in Cirebon, including student activists. He added the campaign was directed at politicians vying for the House of Representatives, provincial legislature and regency and mayoralty legislative elections.
"The campaign is also aimed at candidates for the Regional Executive Board. We want the politicians to place environmental issues on top of their priority list, failing which they will be come targets of the campaign against anti environmental politicians," said Yoyon.
According to Yoyon, who is also director of the Labor and Environmental Foundation (YBLH), a majority of the politicians campaigning in Cirebon have somewhat played a role in environmental damage.
In Cirebon city, 514 legislative candidates from 36 political parties will contend in the legislative election vying for 30 seats at the municipal council.
In Cirebon regency, 725 candidates from 34 parties will contest for 45 seats at the regency legislature.
Yoyon said KLC would also report politicians resorting to environmental damage during campaigning. "We are listing the names of politicians we believe have committed environmental damage during campaigns. We will publicize their names and report them to the Election Supervisory Committee and the disputed parties," said Yoyon.
A number of legislative candidates have welcomed the environmental campaign.
Cicip Awaludin, a candidate for the Cirebon municipal council from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle said the campaign could serve as a benchmark for candidates to be concerned about environmental issues.
"We have to admit that many politicians are less sensitive toward environmental issues now. Through control from activists and the community, the politicians must be held responsible of the environment now facing severe damage," said Cicip.