Farouk Arnaz & Robertus Wardhy, Jakarta – As Indonesia's legislative elections inch closer, more high-ranking officials are requesting time off to stump for their political parties in the lead-up to this important election.
"As of today [Thursday], six ministers have filed for campaign leaves," presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said.
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa is among those who have requested a leave of absence during the campaign season. Hatta, the chair of the National Mandate Party (PAN), plans to hit the road in the coming month.
Others include Transportation Minister E.E. Mangindaan and Cooperatives Minister Syarief Hasan – both of whom are affiliated with the Democratic Party, as well as the Prosperous Justice Party's (PKS) Suswono, Indonesia's minister of Agriculture. Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring and Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono also asked for time off.
State Secretary Sudi Silalahi said that based on the 2013 government regulation dealing with public officials and political campaigns, every minister was only allowed to take two days off a week. He added that ministers must file their request with the State Secretary, who would then deliver the request to the president.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced earlier this week that he would be taking a two-day leave to stump for the struggling Democratic Party, supporting his son Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono's bid for regional office. Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam said state affairs would be unaffected by the president's leave.
Yudhoyono will campaign on behalf of his youngest son, popularly known as Ibas, in East Java, covering the constituencies of Magetan, Ngawi, Ponorogo, Trenggalek and the president's seaside hometown of Pacitan.
The General Elections Commission (KPU) announced that the official campaign period would be held from March 16 to April 5, ahead of the April 9 legislative elections.
The National Police, meanwhile, have announced that public events such as gatherings and concerts would be limited in the run-up to the elections. During the open campaign period from March 16 to April 5, permits for events that would potentially draw big crowds will not be given out as frequently.
"Other events unrelated to the elections should wait," National Police intelligence unit chief Insp. Gen. Suparni Parto said on Thursday. Suparni said that not all mass gatherings would be prohibited, but a permit for such an event would only be granted after thorough analysis.
For a soccer match, for instance, a permit would not be granted during the campaign period because the match would potentially invite a large crowd that could potentially turn into a brawl. "But for a badminton competition, which is relatively safe with a limited audience, we could grant a permit," he said.
Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/government-officials-request-time-campaign-rounds/