TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The ban on campaign in a low-cost apartment, locally known as rusun, sparked protests from members of Jakarta Legislative Council (DPRD) who are running as legislative candidates. They questioned the legal basis of the prohibition.

“What is the legal umbrella that banning political party to campaign in rusun?” said Jakarta DPRD member from Nasdem fraction Bestari Barus during a coordination meeting with the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) and the General Election Commission (KPU) today in DPRD building, Central Jakarta.

Bestari was infuriated after hearing the ban as if politics was an illegitimate matter that was banned to enter the vertical housing complex.

The ban was first acknowledged when a legislative candidate visited Marunda apartment, North Jakarta to run a campaign. However, the candidate was rejected by residents as they received a notice letter from the flat management (UPRS) concerning the prohibition of campaign acts.

The letter, Bestari added, noted a fine of Rp23 million for those who violate the rule. “The flat management allows campaign act, but outside the apartment gate. This is an insult to our politics,” he stressed.

Jakarta Housing and Settlement Agency official Meli Budiastuti confirmed the issue, adding that some UPRS even printed a banner regarding the ban.

In addition, a DPRD member from Democrat Party Neneng Hasanah seconded Bestari's statement. According to Neneng, campaign acts in a low-cost apartment would not only aim at promoting legislative candidates but also boost political participation of the flat residents.

“If they do not know the candidate, how they will choose a legislative candidate and president?” Neneng noted.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH