T

he Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) asked President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to be environmentally responsible when campaigning in Bali on Saturday.

"The open campaign, which is mobilizing thousands of people who own motor vehicles, will definitely pollute the environment," said head of Walhi's Bali chapter Agung Wardana on Wednesday.

"In accordance with World Silent Day *WSD*, which falls on the same day as Yudhoyono's campaign visit to Bali, we encourage him to hold an eco-friendly campaign."

Agung, who is also member of the Bali Collaboration for Climate Change (BCCC) campaigning for WSD, added Walhi Bali would also send a written request to the Democratic Party's Bali chapter.

"I really hope Yudhoyono's campaign team will use creative and environmentally friendly ways of promoting his programs, such as walking or riding bicycles to reduce air and noise pollution," he said.

The Democratic Party's Bali chapter head Gusti Alit Putra confirmed Yudhyono's open campaign would take place at Kapten Japa Square in Padanggalak, on Jl. Bypass Sanur, as arranged in the national campaign schedule.

Asked whether Yudhoyono would take on board Walhi Bali's request for an eco-friendly campaign, Alit said it would be impossible as thousands of supporters would use motorized vehicles to come to the event.

He said campaigning was already difficult enough in Bali due to the amount of religious holidays.

"We have to use the open campaign day that we have as effectively as we can. It is a rare and important day for the party," he said.

While the official campaigning period lasts 21 days, it is shortened to 14 days in Bali because of the seven holiday days, which include Galungan on Wednesday, Nyepi on March 26 and Kuningan on March 28.

The BCCC has invited the Balinese to support the WSD campaign, which falls during the legislative elections campaign period.

In its WSD campaign, BCCC urged all parties, including government institutions, to remain silent by, for example, not using electronic goods and motorized vehicles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.