The Jakarta Post, May 18, 2006
Ambon residents protest election
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
ELECTION PROTEST: Supporters of the losing candidates in Ambon's direct election protested against
the election provisional vote counting results Wednesday, claiming they were unfair. (JP/M. Azis
Tunny)
Hundreds of angry supporters of losing candidates in Ambon city's first direct election
staged a protest Wednesday at the Ambon General Elections Commission (KPUD)
office, accusing that Monday's election results were invalid.
Carrying banners which condemned the incumbent mayor MJ Papilaja, who gained
the most votes in the provisional vote tally at the KPUD, the protesters accused the
mayor of smeared campaigns that encouraged conflict among Muslims and
Christians.
"Papilaja has stirred up Muslims and Christians in Ambon by distributing illegal fliers
to win the election... We want security and peace, don't trick us into creating conflict.
We'll take his campaign team to court," charged Yusril Mahedal, one of the
protesters, in his speech.
The protesters claimed to be the supporters of candidates Richard
Louhenapessy-Syarif Hadler, Made Rachman Marasabessy-Aloysius Leisubun and
Hendrik Hattu-Iskandar Walla.
Yusril asserted that the election was marred by violations and the results should be
ignored.
The protesters also condemned the quick count result which was conducted by the
Indonesia Survey Circle (LSI) which also showed Papilaja as the probable winner in
the election.
"We want KPUD to kick LSI out of Ambon because its vote counting result has upset
the people. Their announcement was a public lie, we aren't buying it," Yusril said.
KPUD chief P.P. Tabalessy said the election was conducted according to procedure
and told dissatisfied candidates to take the matter to court.
Despite the protest, provisional vote counting at KPUD on Wednesday still showed
Papilaja had gained 44,900 votes of the overall 130,352 votes being counted.
This was followed by running mates Louhenapessy-Hadler with 36,718 votes,
Hattu-Walla with 19,952 votes, Marasabessy-Leisubun with 17,955 votes and Jhon
Malaiholo-Irma Betaubun with 10,827 votes.
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