TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Yogyakarta deputy mayor, Imam Priyono, has urged respective presidential campaign teams not to make places of worship as their campaign locations. "Places of worship and schools (educational places) cannot be used (for campaigns)," he said before opening Kampoeng Ramadan Jogokaryan, Saturday.
The arrival of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has caused activities at mosques to increase compared to the previous months; for instance lectures and recitals.
Although there has been a regulation to prohibit people to campaign at places of worship and education, there are still a number of flaws and violations that might occur. "There are indeed many that are lacking and limited," he uttered. The limited number of personnel to monitor the general election is an example.
Manager of Jogojaryan Mosque, Muhammad Jazir, said mosques should continue to maintain their neutrality. Do not let recitals and lectures filled with campaign topics. "Do not become the victims of politics."
However, through the places of worships, political information can be spread out to their worshipers. "We still provide (political information)," said Jazir.
ANANG ZAKARIA