Candidates vow to campaign peacefully

Jakarta, NU Online
Three presidential candidates and their running mates vowed Wednesday evening to maintain peace during the open campaign period, which kicked off Thursday.

But, the joint declaration failed to live up to its billing as a prelude of a "peaceful campaign" as slurring remarks, booing by supporters and shows of force marked the event.

General Elections Commission (KPU) chairman Abdul Hafiz Anshary said in his opening remarks the declaration was needed to ensure that all parties involved in the July 8 presidential election and their activities would turn the election into a unifying, rather than disintegrating factor on the nation.

"Some say the open campaign will be vulnerable to frictions and acts of anarchy acts between supporters of each candidate. So before we begin, it is better that we witness the candidates vowing not to let such things happen," Abdul was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.

Presidential candidate No. 1 Megawati Soekarnoputri, however, began her speech with criticism against the KPU for delaying the event several times from its original schedule on June 2.  

"I am hoping that all government officials from central to local level maintain neutrality and avoid intervention with the presidential election," she said.

Candidate No.2, incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was booed as he was asked to step up to the stage to deliver speech.

Yudhoyono, chief patron of the Democratic Party, called Indonesians to exercise their right to vote. He appealed to his rivals to compete in a "civilized, healthy and ethical" manner.

Candidate No. 3 Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his running mate Wiranto looked to steal the show due to applause from the audience every time they completed a sentence.

Kalla expressed his optimism he would win the race, but said would also accept defeat and support the elected president. (dar)