Desy Nurhayati, Jakarta – Home Affairs Minister Mardiyanto warned local administration heads against criticizing government policies when campaigning for their respective political parties.

"They are representatives of the central government in their regions, so they should not attack the government in their campaigns," he told reporters at the State Palace on Wednesday.

"They also belong to the people in their regions, so they should be careful throughout campaigning to not side with a particular group of people and subsequently offend and alienate the others."

He said governors, mayors and regents must take leave and not use state facilities if they wished to campaign for their parties ahead of the April legislative elections.

He also cautioned state officials to ensure they would not neglect their state duties, especially providing public services, while on leave.

"Local administration heads are allowed to take part in election campaigns because it is their political right, but first they must obtain permission from the President," Mardiyanto said.

"They should also ensure their state duties remain a top priority."

The 2008 legislative election law allows state officials, including the president, vice president, governors, mayors and regents and their deputies to campaign for their respective parties as long as they take leave and do not use state facilities.

This issue is detailed in the General Election Commission (KPU) regulation on guidance for election campaigns, in which the approval letter by the President must be received by the KPU at least three days before the official starts campaigning.

The regulation also outlines the state facilities officials must not use throughout election campaigns including vehicles, buildings and telecommunication devices.

The Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) is authorized to monitor and impose sanctions on those found violating the rules.

Although the campaign period has been running for more than six months, no regional leaders have asked for permission to join the campaigns, Mardiyanto said.

2008 Law on Legislative Elections

Article 85

(1) Campaigns involving the President, Vice President, ministers, governors, deputy governors, regents, deputy regents, mayors and deputy mayors should fulfill the requirements as follows:

a. Facilities related to their positions should not be used, except for security facilities for state officials as regulated by the law.
b. Taking unpaid leave

(2) Leave taken to campaign must not be at the expense of state duties

KPU Regulation No. 19/2008 on Guidance of Legislative Election Campaigns Article 28

(1) The approval letter for leave must be received by the KPU at least three days before the candidate commences campaigning

(2) The letter must contain the schedules and locations of the campaign Article 29

(1) In participating in the campaign, state officials are not allowed to use state facilities.

(2) The facilities are as follows:

a. transportation means, such as operational vehicles
b. building, offices and houses belonging to the state
c. office equipment, radio and telecommunication facilities owned by the state.