KALLA : GOLKAR TO MAINTAIN ITS MANDATE

Binjai, N Sumatra, March 17 (ANTARA) - As a big party with a long history in the country, the Golkar Party will continue to keep and maintain its mandate entrusted by the people, the party's leader, Jusuf Kalla, said here.

"Believe it or not, Golkar with a long history will always keep its mandate entrusted by the people," Jusuf Kalla, who is concurrently vice president, said at a function to mark the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad here on Tuesday.
On the occasion, Kalla also asked for prayers and support that Golkar would gain the victory in this year's general elections.
He said the Golkar would continue to keep its mandate for people's welfare by realizing the provision of affordable basic necessities without inflicting loss for the farmers.
"To provide the people with affordable basic necessities means that people can buy but it is not detrimental to farmers," Jusuf Kalla said, adding that Golkar would continue to fight for people's prosperity.
Earlier in his visit to Langkat district in the day, the Golkar Party chairman asked public figures, Muslim clerics, and the leader of Babusalam Islamic boarding school in the district to support his intention to run for president in July.
"I need the prayers and support of all public figures here to participate in this year's legislative and presidential elections. God willing, I will also contest the presidential election in the interest of the state and nation," Kalla said.
He said the legislative election this year would be participated in by so many political parties and therefore he asked all parties to understand and to be civil in their campaigns.
Kalla also expressed hope that the elections this year would proceed fairly, democratically, peacefully, and successfully.
During the flight from Jakarta to Medan, North Sumatra, on Tuesday, Kalla said the upcoming general elections, including regional elections, should be fair and honest in order to preserve the people's trust in democracy.
"Fairness and honesty in general elections belong to all people and not to political parties alone. Therefore, the credibility of democracy should be maintained through fair and honest electoral processes," Kalla said.
The vice president made the statement when asked to comment on discovery of a forged Permanent Voters List (DPT) in East Java's gubernatorial election recently.