Yemris Fointuna

The minority community of Muslims in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, has voiced its support for a demand by the majority Catholics for a postponement of the legislative election slated for April 9.

"If the election is not postponed, it will be a form of discrimination against minority Catholics in the country," Arif Rahman, a Muslim leader from East Flores, said Monday.

He added Indonesia's majority Muslims should support the demand by the minority Catholics.

"Majority Muslims should respect Catholics. Conversely, majority Catholics in East Nusa Tenggara should protect the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist minorities," he said.

Catholic leaders here have sent an official letter to the General Elections Commission (KPU) to ask for the postponement, saying the election date will clash with a commemoration of Maundy Thursday, a day before Good Friday and Easter.

On that date, local Catholics conduct a sacred ritual called Samana Santa, which is celebrated by Catholics from across the country and overseas. The date would is also the commemoration of the last supper of Jesus Christ and his disciples, and marks the conception of the ritual of the communion.

Residents of East Flores regency earlier threatened to boycott the election and "seal off" the local elections commission office.

"I will also join the boycott and seal the East Flores election commission office," Arif told reporters.

East Nusa Tenggara elections commission spokesman Djidon de Haan said the KPU would still reject the request by the East Flores Catholic leaders, because the election process was is full swing.

Djidon added that any postponement of the election date would increase the budget, since the number of eligible voters would also rise.

To accommodate the demand, he said the commission would add polling stations.

"Each polling station will accommodate 300 voters at the most, so people can continue with the ritual after casting their votes."

Commenting on the planned boycott of the election, Djidon said the results of the poll would be valid, regardless of the number of voters.

"The election will only be postponed if there is a natural disaster, social chaos and other incident that cannot be handled," he argued.

— JP