87 regional heads on leave for campaigns

JAKARTA: Home Minister Mardiyanto said Wednesday his ministry had granted leave requests for 87 regional heads wishing to campaign for the July 8 presidential election, kompas.com reported Wednesday.

Among those taking leave were South Sumatera Governor Alex Noerdin and Vice Governor Eddy Yusuf, Bengkulu Governor Agusrin Maryono Najamuddin and Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo.

As of Wednesday, Mardiyanto said, the ministry had recieved leave requests from 98 heads of regional administrations.

"The government understands they need to take time out for campaigning, and it is better for them to file for official leave than to secretly taking time out during work days," he said.

The Home Ministry only grants one weekday leave per week for the purpose, but regional heads can still campaign on weekends or on official holidays. - JP