Candidates vow to campaign peacefully

Erwida Maulia ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 06/10/2009 9:14 PM  |  Presidential Election

The 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 derogatory 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 should turn the election into a “unifying factor” for the nation rather than a “disintegrating” one.

"Some say the open campaign will be vulnerable to friction and anarchy between the supporters of each candidate. So before we begin, it is better that we witness the candidates vowing not to let such things happen," Abdul said.

Presidential candidate No. 1 Megawati Soekarnoputri, however, began her speech by criticizing the KPU for delaying the start of the open campaign period from its original schedule of June 2 to Wednesday.
 
"I am hoping that all government officials from central to local level will act impartially and not intervene in 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 his speech.

Yudhoyono, chief patron of the Democratic Party, called on Indonesians to exercise their right to vote and 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, thanks to the applause from the audience every time they finished a sentence.

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

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