Adianto P. Simamora, Jakarta – Vice President Jusuf Kalla has strongly denied any political motives behind ongoing legal actions against government critics ahead of the elections.
"We don't do such things," Kalla told reporters Friday, commenting on police investigations into former chief economics minister Rizal Ramli and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) leader Tifatul Sembiring, who have both been named suspects in separate cases.
Kalla added all citizens, no matter their status, had to abide by the law. "As a presidential candidate, [Rizal] should lead by example on how to obey the law. What would voters say about a candidate who was afraid of a police summons?" Kalla went on, referring to Rizal's announcement to contest the presidential election.
Rizal, who chairs the Indonesia Revival Committee, has been named a suspect for allegedly organizing rallies against the fuel price hike in June 2008, spawning violent riots. Tifatul was named a suspect by the Jakarta Police for violating campaign rules and the legislative election law.
The Election Supervisory Committee (Bawaslu) reported him to the police after finding Tifatul had spoken on a party platform during a Jan. 2 protest against the Israeli attacks on Gaza. PKS supporters flaunted the party's banners during the mass protest.
The PKS has emerged as a serious contender to the major parties in the upcoming elections. Its candidates won several key regional elections last year, including the West Java gubernatorial election.
National Police Chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri also dismissed allegations of any political machinations behind Rizal's arrest and questioning. "The police have no interest in the case. We are just upholding the law," he said.
The country will hold a legislative election on April 9, with the presidential election following on July 28. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said he would run for reelection, hinting at once again picking Kalla as his running mate.
Kalla, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, has yet to announce his party's plan of whether to contest the presidential election with a candidate of Golkar's own, or partner with Yudhoyono once more.
Several pollsters are predicting a tight two-horse race between Yudhoyono and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle's Megawati Soekarnoputri in the presidential election.