Robert Go, Jakarta – The 24 political parties that will contest the Indonesian election on April 5 pledged yesterday to keep tight control of their followers and to conduct peaceful campaigns.
At a signing ceremony sponsored by the General Election Commission, politicians acted to soothe growing concerns that violent clashes could mar rallies scheduled for the coming weeks.
The official hustings period is due to start tomorrow, with huge parades in Jakarta and other urban centres.
Thousands, all wearing the party colours of their choice, are expected to turn up at political events scheduled for the day.
Yesterday, General Election Commission deputy chairman Ramlan Subakti said: "This declaration is a sign to the community that we all have a commitment to an orderly and peaceful campaign process."
Popular Muslim tele-evangelist Abdullah Gymnastiar, who spoke on what Indonesian voters expect out of their political leaders, appealed to political parties to work "as brothers, not enemies" and to "show the spirit of togetherness".
The biggest names in Indonesian politics did not turn up at yesterday's ceremony, but their representatives, as well as the actual heads of the country's smaller political parties, signed their names on a board after a joint statement on peaceful campaigning was read out.
Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, who leads the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P), sent a senior official, as did Mr Akbar Tandjung, chairman of her chief rival, the Golkar Party.
Campaign-related violence has erupted in the past. Last October, two men died after a PDI-P mob attacked offices belonging to Golkar in Buleleng district in Bali.
In Medan, North Sumatra, two machete-wielding men attacked a parliamentary candidate for the Pioneer Party in January. Police said politics motivated the attack.
The authorities have promised that more than 180,000 police officers would provide security during the entire hustings period. Thousands of soldiers are to back up the police units.
Yesterday, the head of Indonesia's powerful army, General Ryamizard Ryacudu, also called on soldiers to remain alert against any efforts to scuttle the elections.
But officials said prevention might be the best option. They suggested that parties coordinate rally schedules to avoid situations where huge masses belonging to different camps find themselves in close proximity to one another.
For instance, Bali police chief, Inspector-General I Made Mangku Pastika, said on Tuesday that Ms Megawati's PDI-P and her sister Sukmawati's PNI Marhaenis should rethink plans for rallies merely 20km from each other on the tourist island on March 12.
"We are asking for cooperation from the two parties. There is a big chance that conflict could take place if they hold rallies near each other," said the general, who is widely credited with leading the investigation into the October 2002 Bali blasts.