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Watchdog seizes food thought to be for distribution during election
The West Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) has secured staple food packages in three areas of the municipality, alleging they were to be distributed a few hours before voting kicks off on Wednesday.
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An official distributes food packages, also known as sembako, in Cipete, South Jakarta, during the fasting month of Ramadhan last year. (The Jakarta Post/Wienda Parwitasari)
The West Jakarta Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) has secured staple food packages in three areas of the municipality, alleging they were to be distributed a few hours before voting kicks off on Wednesday.
Panwaslu member Puadi said that the committee had secured 11 packages containing rice, oil and sugar and smear campaign brochures in Duri Kepa, Kebun Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Sunday.
"The people involved [in the distribution] were supporters of candidate pair number two," Puadi said, referring to Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pair Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat.
On the same day the watchdog had also found packages carried by six trucks in Kalideres, West Jakarta, Puadi said.
Those packages had been brought to the Kalideres Police station, Puadi said.
Early on Monday, the committee found three trucks containing staple food in Palmerah, which have been seized and are now at the committee’s offices.
Puadi said that the committee suspected that people involved in the alleged vote-buying in Kalideres and Palmerah were also supporters of Ahok and Djarot.
However, the committee would further investigate the matter in coordination with police and prosecutors to see whether there was an element of criminal intent, Puadi said. (wit)
