"I don`t like to promise too much. I am confident the Papua problem could be sorted out with heart and hard work not with promises," Jokowi, as he is known, said.
Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Presidential candidate of the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) Joko Widodo said he would deal with all problems in Papua with "heart."

"I dont like to promise too much. I am confident the Papua problem could be sorted out with heart and hard work not with promises," Jokowi, as he is known, said.

"I see very big potentials here and most of the potentials must be used for the welfare of the people of Papua," he said to the crowd rallying around him in a political campaigns here on Saturday.

Thousands of PDIP supporters and sympathizers took part in the rally in the Karang Trade Center square here in the closing day of political campaign ahead of the April 9 legislative election.

He asked PDIP supporters in Papua to work hard to draw the sympathy of the majority of the people to win the election.

Big victory in the legislative election would help the party to win the presidential election on July 9 , the Jakartas populist governor said.

Before addressing the crowd at the TC square , Jokowi visited the Youtefa traditional market in Abepura and spoke to the small traders there.

Hundreds of people sought to have a hand shake with Jokowi, who shot to prominence after no less than two years as Jakarta governor.

"We want to see how he looks , but it is not easy. Too many people," Arti, one of the traders said.

After buying a rousted tuna fish Jokowi walked to a car waiting for him with police guards, waving and saying, "Thank you all for your support."

At the same time in Central Java, PDIP chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and a number of other party leaders attended a PDIP last day campaign in Klaten.

Also present accompanying Megawati was Central Java deputy governor Heru Sujatmoko, who is chairman of the provincial branch of PDIP.

Megawatis daughter Puan Maharani, who is a party leader, said Klaten was chosen to be the host for the open campaign as that district is a stronghold of the party.

"We want to repeat what we achieved in the 2009 legislative election when PDIP won the majority votes in Central Java," Puan said.

From Klaten, the group went on to Sukoharjo in the province seeking to address supporters and draw more sympathizers.

When addressing the crowds both in Klaten and Sukoharjo, Puan reminded the people to vote for Jokowi in the presidential election which will take place on Jul 9.

To the call the crowds responded with the yell calling the name of Jokowi, although he was not in the group.

Jokowi, who was former major of the Central Java city of Surakarta, is quite popular in the region.

Meanwhile, the founder of Gerakan Indonesia Raya (Gerindra) Prabowo Subianto said "Jakarta is being hit by a terrible disease of cheaters."

Prabowo, who, according to many surveys is Jokowis closest rival, did no say name but on a number of occasions he had shown his "hatred" toward Jokowi who he helped promote from a Solo mayor to Jakarta governor.

In a number occasion he spoke about a puppet presidential candidate giving no name but apparently referring to Jokowi.

Prabowo led over other potential rivals before Jokowi was named as presidential candidate by PDIP.

Addressing a group of supporters in Bandung, West Java, Prabowo said,"The leaders of the Jakarta city administration are sick. They are theatrical players, all cheaters." he said.

It is not clear if he also included Jokowis deputy, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok), who is a Gerindra member, among those he accused of being cheaters.

"The theatrical players in the city hall should be awarded a Piala Citra (an award given usually to best singer and film artists)," Prabowo said.

He said he is aware that no one in Jakarta would want to hear what he just said .

"What I said in Jakarta with those Sengkuni (bootlickers), would not sell. They speak softly and want well mannered people, but here I have listeners.

"Do you want ones with good manner but dishonest?" he said and quickly added ,"I apologize if I have spoken too strongly," he said. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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